An NHS worker from Portsmouth is taking part in a gruelling 400-mile bicycle ride to France to support other people suffering with mental health issues.
Colin Edwards (50), from Drayton, who is a counter fraud and security specialist, is to cycle in stages from Hayling Island to Chartres (near Paris) and back in July.
He will need to ride up to 70-80 miles a day for five days to raise funds for the Solent NHS Charity to “help others with mental health illness and disorders.”
Colin said: “I have had my own experiences of difficult times through suffering with my mental health.
“Having had periods in my life where I have been completely debilitated from severe anxiety, I know all too well how crucial it is to have the support of the NHS. There have been times when getting outdoors felt like an impossible task and I know I am not alone.
“I can confidently state that the care and support myself and loved ones have previously received from the NHS and healthcare professionals made a significant difference to getting back to leading a much wider life with opportunities.
“As someone who also works in the NHS, I know all too well how much good work is being done to help others.”
The Solent NHS Charity provides much-needed support to people with mental health illnesses in the Hampshire area. It raises money to make a difference to the experience people have when they are being cared for by Solent NHS Trust, covering aspects of care not included or fully supported by other NHS funding.
Colin said: “I’m excited and nervous about the challenge all in one but if I can do a little to help others it will be absolutely worth a little bit of pain! I am under no illusion that this will be a tough challenge both physically and mentally.
“In 2016 I couldn’t walk up the stairs without being out of breath so I made a life choice to do something about that which led to me running London Marathon in 2018. This is the next big challenge for me since then.”
The Hayling to Paris charity ride has been peddling since 1986 and is thought to be the longest running multi-day ride in the UK.
The 2023 ride will start at the Portsmouth ferry terminal on Saturday July 8 – with Colin due to catch the Cherbourg to Portsmouth ferry on July 14 for the final leg to Hayling Island.
This is the link to Colin’s Just Giving page.