Suffolk firefighters tackle mental health stigma with mammoth cycle challenge
A team from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats later this year.
Suffolk firefighters are aiming to tear down the stigma around mental health by cycling the length of Great Britain.
A team of 15 riders, which also includes colleagues from South Yorkshire, and five support staff will bike from Lands End to John O'Groats from 20 September.
The aptly named challenge, The Longest Ride 2021, will see them cover around 1,000 miles over the course of 10 days.
It was meant to take place last year but was put on hold due to the pandemic, with today (4 May) being the official relaunch.
They will be raising money for The Fire Fighters Charity while also battling to remove the stigma around mental health.
Each member will be sharing their own stories in the hope it will encourage people to open up.
Station manager, Darren Cooper, said the pandemic has taken its toll: "The first three months I felt like it was fine, this is fine, I can focus at home and the family.
"Then, all of a sudden, work started coming into your home in this world that we've now got.
"And you haven't really got a place of your own and you haven't got your team around you or your support mechanisms anymore.
"Within about six months I really started struggling.
"I started finding myself not wanting to actually go and talk to someone in case you cross contaminate with Covid and it was awful. As a race it's not how we're made, we're social creatures, we like that.
"Covid took it away from us and I think we all struggle."
As we continue to live with and fight Covid-19, Darren thinks the importance of their challenge is even greater, due to the impact the virus has had on people's mental health.
Darren added: "If we can just reach one person with our own stories and how we've coped with it and how there is support out there, if that one person is inspired by what we do then we will feel a great sense of achievement.
"Ultimately, no one is alone. We might have been stuck in our homes and places of work, not being able to see anyone, but no one is actually alone at any point. If we can get that message across and people join our journey, they'll be part of that journey with us."
The riders will be traveling to Lands End on 19 September, ahead of the beginning of their challenge the following day.
Throughout the route they are being supported by numerous firefighter colleagues, offering up their fire stations for rest.
To support them during The Longest Ride, visit their dedicated website.