Chris Bell is hoping his Land's End to John O'Groats hike for mental health charity Mind will inspire others as he reflects on how the outdoors has helped him with his own struggles.
Chris told ChronicleLive how is plan is to be "totally self-reliant". However, while he will be walking alone, he'll be starting the route on March 25 with huge support back home from his colleagues at the Greggs factory in Gosforth Park where he works. The famed bakery firm has even let him take ten weeks off work.
A keen hiker and photographer, Chris explained he had struggled with depression and anxiety over the years. He will be sharing pictures from his journey regularly on Facebook.
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The walk - which Chris has called: "A Journey Through Britain on Foot for Mental Health" - will see him travel from Land's End north before taking on the length of the Pennine Way through to the Scottish border near Kirk Yetholm. He's already closing on his fundraising target of £1,215, which is a pound for every mile he will walk.
The Forest Hall man told ChronicleLive; "I am setting out from Land's End, finishing in John O'Groats and its a 1,215 mile route. That's also how much money I want to raise. I will be doing it on my own, carrying a 50-litre rucksack.
"I'll be following a pretty high-level route, avoiding roads where possible. I do a lot of hill-walking and I'll be going on some routes I've been through before. It's to encourage others to get walking and get outdoors because it's good for your mental health. "
After starting the route on March 25 in Cornwall, he is aiming to complete the journey in around 70 days.
"It's something I've been building up to for years, he said. "I've ten weeks off work for it. I work for Greggs. I'm doing it for mental health and I will be raising money. Mental health is something close to my heart. It's something I've struggled with over the years.
"Greggs are really supportive. The team at work have been helping to raise money. It's about getting into the outdoors and I'm hoping it can inspire others to get outside too - it really is good for you.
"It'll be great just to inspire even just one person to get help. I've had to take time off work in the past with depression and anxiety and work have always been supportive."
Find Chris's fundraising page at justgiving.com/page/chris-bell-lejog2023
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