A Northern Ireland pensioner has walked thousands of miles over the last two years, to raise awareness for mental health charity Lifeline.
Fleming Keery, from Carryduff, completed 12,000 miles this week, marking 976 consecutive days of walking - and he does so dressed in bright orange, from his socks to his hat, and Lifeline 'You Are Not Alone' jacket.
Setting off on his first awareness walk on January 20, 2020, Fleming has been approached by people, who have spotted him on his travels, and sought help. He has sat down with strangers, and been an ear for their words and sometimes a shoulder to cry on.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, the 71-year-old said: "During early 2020 I was watching our local news programmes and noted two high-profile politicians demonstrating their hurt and frustration at the increasing number of people making very sad decisions regarding their lives.
"The next morning I made contact with the offices of the two politicians and asked the question 'can you tell me of an organisation that would benefit from me walking various areas for x miles whilst wearing their branded attire?'
"Within one hour a politician’s representative was discussing and confirming the approved layout of Lifeline branding. So you see, it wasn’t me who picked the orange colour but I have to say it sure attracts people’s awareness of Lifeline.
"I then arranged to set out and measure the 16 routes which I hoped to walk. I decided I would walk a route each day rotating routes every week. I decided 3,000 miles would be challenging, but a challenge I was up for. In walking every day for a total of 3,000 miles would represent a fair attempt to promote the vital and lifesaving work of Lifeline.
"I had no idea how continuous walking of miles would affect my body but I was about to find out. The routes varied in distance from 10 miles to 17 miles in length and ranged from: the streets of Belfast, Belfast to Lisburn, North, East, South and West Belfast, Belfast to Bangor and back, Belfast to Carrickfergus and back, Divis Black Mountain, Belfast to Glengormley and back, Drumbo/Carryduff hills and both ways of the Comber Greenway."
Following Fleming's 3,000-mile walk, he decided he wouldn't stop at that. He had a long discussion with a local politician and said he would carry on to the 8,000-mile target.
"We agreed that distinct areas of walks repeated for 100 times each would much more increase awareness of Lifeline. We decided two areas in Carryduff and one area around the Four Winds, Newtownbreda.
"When I completed the 8,000 miles, I decided I would walk up to 10000 miles. These additional 2,000 miles would be walked between the Ormeau Bridge area and the Drumbeg area. The final two walks would rotate week on week between Drumbeg to Sprucefield and back and return Comber Greenway walk."
This week, Fleming reached mile 12,000, on his 976th day of walking. He has calculated that his walks have equated to over 457 marathons, over 38 times the length of Ireland, over six times around the coast of the island of Ireland and 24 million steps.
Not doing the challenge for praise or thanks, Fleming simply wanted to help those who may be facing hardship in their lives. When he zipped up his orange Lifeline jacket each day, he thought that by reading the number printed on the back, it may save someone's life.
During his walks, he met and spoke with people who were battling their own demons in life. And although he has respected their privacy not to share their conversations, Fleming said he has been trusted with both tough experiences and happy ones too.
He said: "During the many walks strangers would stop me and share their own accounts, the demons they’ve faced and their personal battles with mental health.
"I have spent hours sitting on riverbanks, gardens, park benches and memorial areas. It has been a real challenge to deliberately forget names and people's accounts. It was the only way I could maximise confidentiality.
"People have been so kind to me, they have trusted me with some horrific experiences and some truly happy occurrences. Yes, I have had sleepless nights and I go to bed at night well aware of many parents and children who regularly pray for my wellbeing.
"I have greeted every person I have met and I have chatted to anyone who wanted to talk. I have regularly been asked for photographs. When asked I tried to encourage the people to take both front and back. 08 08 808 8000.
"Really, I am not a counsellor or psychologist, I am a 71-year-old man out walking while wearing clothing with Lifeline branding."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
VIDEO BY HARRY BATEMAN.
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