Charities
Mind has been speaking out for better mental health for 60 years and is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. At Mind, we work for a better life for everyone with experience of mental or emotional distress.
Penumbra is Scotland’s most innovative mental health charity, working to improve mental wellbeing across the nation. We provide a wide range of services which offer hope and practical steps towards recovery, including support for people in their own homes, assisted accommodation, self harm reduction and youth services. Penumbra campaigns to influence national and local government policy, and to increase public knowledge and understanding about mental ill health.
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Walk a Mile UK's fundraising page
There comes a time in a man’s life when he should embark on a pilgrimage - so says Satish Kumar. In actual fact he suggests that when a man reaches middle age he should be off on his second jolly. He is a Jain monk - I, on the other hand, am an atheistic, bald ex senior social worker carrying more weight than he would like, with a mental health problem. On April 6th 2011 I began a tour of the UK with the aim to circumnavigate this fair island on foot, relying solely on the kindness of other people for food, water, shelter and compassion.
The reason for the date is simple - it was the 34th anniversary of my mum’s death. She died of cervical cancer when I was 12. My dad, devastated by this, turned to alcohol, often leaving my brother, 1 year older than me, and I to fend for ourselves.
This is not the story of my slide into the world of mental health problems - I’ll blog that up in bitesized chunks for easy digestion. Hopefully it illustrates that a combination of crazy events and a touch of faulty brain wiring can lead to the normaility of mental health difficulties.
I will be looking for sponsorship for my two chosen charities - I will post the links up for these later and how folk can donate.
This particular journey is not so much about me - it’s about the people I visit on my way, their beauty and kindness and the the beauty of this lovely island that we share. I want to hear and share the stories of anyone who feels they have felt the squeeze of prejudice or where they felt their words were unheard.
My motivation comes through the feelings of isolation and prejudice I have experienced because of my condition, and my knowledge of the discrimination felt by so many users of social work services - Older people, people with a physical disability, people with mental health problems, people with a learning disability, people from minority ethnic groups, people who choose a different god and people who choose to live their lives in different ways.
But not just them. I want to hear the voice of the middle classes - the tax payers - the majority who feel they are unheard.
This is a reaction against the mainstream press who portray a divided and scared Britain - a dangerous Britain full of individuals who look after themselves - a Britain where there is no society, let alone a big one.
Go to any of the mainstream newspaper websites - ok, The Mirror is the exception - type in any of the following words or phrases into that papers’ search engine and look at the stories they generate -
“Mentally ill” ; “Benefits”; “Travellers” or “Travelling People”; “Hindus”; or “Immigrants”
There are many more I’m sure, but you’ll get the picture.
Help me to prove them wrong - show that although we are divided we are not yet conquered
Last year we raised almost £1000
Last year we proved that the people of the UK were kind and compassionate, offering me food, shelter and support more times than I actually needed it.
Let's continue the story.
Walk a mile in my shoes.
Chris
Recent donors
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Michael Plane £30.00 (+ £7.50 giftaid) 30.03.13 Keep up the good work Chris! You are doing a wonderful job! |
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Anonymous £10.00 27.09.12 What you are doing is fantastic and important. |
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Debbie Anderson £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 28.08.12 Hi Chris, I am met you on the Johnstone cycle path 25th Aug-Debbie. Can I just say what a wonderful person you are, I am truly honoured and feel privileged you shared you story with me. Will keep a look out for your book and TV programme.Take care Debbiex |
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Richard & Clare Sharratt £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 07.08.12 |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 07.08.12 |
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Sheila Sams £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 07.08.12 Best wishes for a safe journey Chris. Sheila (Isle of Arran) |
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Ruth £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 07.08.12 your doing a wonderful thing Chris..keep it up and keep us happy with your tales of the road |
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Tommy McManmon £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 07.08.12 Sun is on its way Chris! |
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Pete n Tom £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 07.08.12 a wee minding to keep you goingon your fantastic journey. sent with love and hugs, P& T |
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cyclingbob1 £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 28.06.12 Great stuff Chris. All the best from me. |
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Matt aka Northern Walker £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 28.06.12 All the very best Chris! |
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Colin Farquhar £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 18.06.12 if i can buy myself a new phone and go dancing something is wrong if i can't do this for you buddy, great to see you last night |
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Morag £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 04.06.12 For Chris McCullough Young - Hope you enjoyed Ardnamurchan. My favourite place |
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Anonymous £5.00 (+ £1.25 giftaid) 03.06.12 A small start.... |
Running total
- Total raised incl. Gift Aid:
- £303.75
- Total donors:
- 14
- Biggest donor:
-
Colin Farquhar
£50.00 - Last donor:
-
Michael Plane
30.03.13 - Offline fundraising:
- £0.00
