A keen fundraiser will travel to the four corners of the United Kingdom on his motorbike to raise funds for mental health charities.
Dave Careless has seen the devastating affect that poor mental health can have on a person and believes that suffering is preventable.
It’s a topic he’s been passionate about for a long time, but a recent incident placed this at the forefront of his mind, inspiring him to be the change he has searched for.
“I was driving home from visiting my mum and there was a young lad walking towards me. Before I knew it, he was climbing over the motorway bridge.
“I did an emergency stop, as did the car in front of me, and then a few of us rushed to pull him back over to safety.
“I began to chat with him to see where his mind was. He was just 20 years old, and he told me there was no one I could call for him,” Dave said.
This upsetting news struck deep to Dave. He couldn’t believe that a young man had no one to speak to.
Hearing this transported Dave back 11 years ago, to a time when he lost his best friend to suicide.
In 2011, he was heartbroken to find out that his friend, Navin Wilde, had lost his battle with mental health. Losing this bright soul left a hole in his heart, that remains today.
Sensing just how big the mental health crisis in the UK has become, Dave has set himself the challenge of raising as much money as possible for various mental health charities.
To do this, he will complete the UK Four Corner challenge, riding his motorbike from his home in Hattersley to Land’s End, St David’s, John O’Groats and Lowestoft in just 36 hours.
“I originally wanted to complete it in 24 hours, but Google tells me it will take at least 27 hours.
“So, I’ve decided to give myself 36 hours, I will have to stop for fuel every 160-170 miles and potentially battle some bad weather,” he said.
In his search for mental health charities, Dave was introduced to Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity that breaks down the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
He was also keen on supporting Mind, a charity who worked closely with his friend Navin.
Finally, Dave was set on PAPYRUS, a UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health in young people.
With his three charities to fundraise for decided, Dave then just had to worry about the mountainous task of travelling to all four corners of the UK via bike.
“I know it’s going to be a challenge, and to be honest I’m not even certain that I’ll be able to do it.
“But I feel so strong about this, and I just know that I have to try,” he said.
On the 27 December, Dave will set off on his BMW to John O’Groats. Here, he will rest his head before waking early to head for Lowestoft on Wednesday (28), then down to St David’s before finally ending at Land’s End, just over 1400 miles later.
“I have to be fit for it, I will be sat on the bike for a long time, and I will only have time for fuel stops and a quick drink.
“If the weather is bad or it snows, I will carry on I may just have to adjust my plan.
“I didn’t know just how big the mental health crisis was until I looked into this, but the more people I talk to the more I realise that everyone knows someone who is struggling or has struggled.
“Help should be available before you cross the line. Complaining about things won’t change it, so I’m doing something about it,” Dave said.
When many will be unwinding and taking a deserved break after Christmas, Dave will be starting his engine and embarking on a journey to make a difference.
Dave will be decorating his bike in his charities apparel, hoping that if someone does approach him, he can then point them in the right direction to seek help.
Until then, he will aim to raise as much money and awareness as possible.
Donate to Dave’s fundraiser here.
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