My name is Antony, I am a 34 year old ex Falmouth Graduate working for an Architectural Firm in Penryn, Cornwall. Over the years I have struggled with my Mental Health and the last 6 years in particular have been difficult for me following health issues and relationship breakdowns.

Exercise is key to me and In January this year I participated in Red January UK, walking at least 2 miles a day in January to help combat the 'January Blues'. From doing this, and through many walks around Argal Lake in Penryn, I decided to challenge myself both mentally and physically by walking around the lake for 24 hours on 13th July 2024.

My intention is to raise awareness of mental health and to help those who feel trapped or lost by representing 2 amazing local charities who combat mental health, Georgia's Voice UK and Man Down Cornwall. Both charities have expressed their desire to take part and the challenge is open to anyone who wishes to join in for a lap or 10!

Sophie Alway described Georgia's Voice UK to me as follows

"Georgia’s Voice is the legacy of beautiful Georgia who took her own life aged 19 during the pandemic in 2020 💜
Our mission is to help support young women aged 18-25 living in Cornwall with mental health concerns, to show them that people do care, and that suicide is not the only option.

We provide informal, small, free, safe spaces across Cornwall for young women to talk, listen or just be, we organise regular well-being activities, and provide free counselling for our members. Here at Georgia’s Voice we care about you, because YOU MATTER to us 💜"

I will add a bit about Man Down Cornwall in due course but they help to combat mental health in men across Cornwall.

If you or anyone close to you has ever suffered in silence or you have been impacted by suicide in your life and wish to make a difference, you are most welcome to contribute, and there are many ways you can do this.

- Financially, every penny goes towards helping support the work these amazing people do.
- Spreading the word so more people know about this and these charities.
- Taking part for as little or as much as you can on the day, this includes supporting me as I walk with support/ first aid etc or doing a few laps with me to help keep me going. You are welcome to contact me via Instagram @24HOURARGALTREK
- Point anyone you may know who has mental health struggles to one of these amazing charities. Nobody deserves to suffer in silence, everyone has a voice and a right to be ok.

All money raised will be split 50/50 between Georgia's Voice and Man Down Cornwall.

Thank you and wish me luck! The training starts now! I will be updating Instagram throughout the training and will be doing week walks and night walks along that journey, if you would like to take part in any of it, you are most welcome.