County Durham dad straps on the armour again for ManHealth

A County Durham dad of 2 is urging men to speak up about their mental health - by taking on a huge, historical challenge.

Lewis Kirkbride is strapping on 4.5 stone of medieval armour - and walking 40 miles in 2 days - all to raise funds for the charity Man Health.

Lewis’ journey along the Hereward Way Long Distance Footpath will begin at Peterborough Cathedral and end at Ely Cathedral, covering some forty miles across the open Fenlands over two days.

He will be joined by historian David Maile of the WakeHereward Project and the pair will be setting off from Peterborough Cathedral at 10am on Wednesday 2nd June.

It's not the first time Lewis has taken on such a feat - last year we caught up with him as he walked from near York to Hastings - raising almost £27 000 for Man Health.

He tells us he was amazed at how people opened up to him:

"Somebody would emerge, over the hill, bringing me coffee and chocolate, and walking with me for half a mile...

"They'd say 'My name's Dave' and then the second thing they would say was 'I was sectioned last year' or 'I attempted suicide a few years ago'

"Through doing the walk, people have opened up in ways that I'd never have expected and it's really important we keep giving people the space to do that.

He tells us why ManHealth is such a vital resource;

"You can go and talk to people who understand what you're going through.

"They won't judge you, but they're not so close to home.

"I mean, my own problems - a few years back - were very close to home and it meant there wasn't really anywhere else I could turn.

"And if I'd known about ManHealth and the way you can just turn up, have a chat, learn quite a bit as well, I would have used them in a heartbeat."

You can find out more about getting help or support from ManHealth here, and more about Lewis' challenge here.