World record-breaking cyclist and mental health campaigner Josh Quigley has teamed up with Livingston FC and a football charity to help promote sport’s role in positive health and mental well-being.
Josh broke the world record for the longest distance cycled in a week last year and credits cycling with helping turn his life around.
He has also spoken openly about his mental health struggles over the years.
The Livingston lad will join forces with his local football team and Kick Mental Health, an organisation and peer support group that aims to combat mental health issues and runs several weekly football sessions in the county.
Speaking to the Courier, Josh said he was delighted to be teaming up with both parties as he aims to spread the message of sport and its role in creating positive mental health.
He said that being physically active can take on many forms and said there is a type of exercise suitable for everyone.
Josh commented: “For me, it makes sense to link up with both Kick Mental Health and Livingston FC and it’s great to have that partnership.
“Ally and the Kick Mental Health team do absolutely amazing work.
“A lot of what I do now is going into schools and sharing my story and promoting health and well-being.
“I’m a cyclist and obviously Ally and the club are involved in football but the message really that we all want to promote is that there’s something out there for everyone.
“It can be walking, Zumba classes, swimming, dancing, anything at all but we all passionately believe in the power of sport to create positive mental health. Everyone can find their thing.”
As part of the link-up, both Josh and Livingston Football Club manager David Martindale will be taking part in one of Kick Mental Health’s weekly Zoom meetings.
David Martindale has been a big advocate for mental health and has previously spoken about the important role the club’s psychologist plays.
He also visits prisons and gives motivational talks about his own journey and how he has turned his life around.
Martindale was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in 2006 after pleading guilty to drug offences and money laundering.
Ally Bingham of Kick Mental Health said he was delighted at the new partnership with Josh and Livingston FC and the opportunities it offers.
He said the new initiative will be a boost for the community as well as for those involved with the partnership.
Ally commented: “To be able to link-up with Josh and Livingston FC is a huge thing and hopefully something that benefits all parties as well as the community.
“Josh’s story is inspiring and he does a brilliant job raising awareness.
“We look to provide help to people in the community, both virtually and physically.”
Ally added that he is looking forward to the virtual sessions which Josh and Davie will be involved with.
He said: “We have our Zoom calls and it’s great that both Josh and Davie have offered to help out with that. We also have the football sessions and the aim with that is just to provide people with a sense of community and a space where they can be themselves and have support.”
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