Walking the Pennine Way

I, along with my partner Marie will be walking the entire length of the 268 mile Pennine Way in August 2016 to raise money for Young Minds. 

We'll be carrying all of our food and equipment on our backs, camping each night as we walk all the way from Edale in the Peak District to Kirk Yetholm in Scotland. A journey that is likely to take between 2 and 3 weeks to complete.

So, why do we want to walk all this way?

Well firstly it's an iconic walking route (probably the toughest in the UK) and a chance to spend weeks enjoying the scenery and being a part of our wonderful natural environment. It represents a fantastic challenge and certainly won't be a walk in the park!

More importantly, however, is to raise money for Young Minds.

George's Story 

Back in 2013 my nephew George tragically took his own life at the age of only 15 as a result of suffering from depression. 

He was severely let down by medical staff who sent him home after putting him on a cocktail of medication which meant he should never have been released from medical care.

He didn't want to die but be saved from himself. Tragically in a moment of weakness and confusion he saw this as the only way to escape the pain.

It was heartbreaking to me and my family to lose George so suddenly. He had his whole life ahead of him and was truly talented. We all miss him every day.

About Young Minds

Unfortunately there are many other like George. 855,000 children in the UK suffer from mental health issues and 15,000 every year are hospitalised after harming themselves.

Young Minds say "There is still a huge stigma around mental health which means children and young people are not getting the support they need. Mental health problems can lead to young people being disruptive, difficult, withdrawn and disturbed and it’s vital they are supported and not just ignored or told off."

All money raised from our walk will go to support young people like George to make sure that they get the support they need to deal with mental illness.

Thank you very much for your support.