The owner of local positive news magazine, La Vida Liverpool, is embarking upon a 500 mile cycle around the coast of Wales in aid of the #Endthestigma campaign to set up a men’s mental health hub in North Liverpool.
Beginning on 9th July 2021 ahead of the 8-day journey, Justin Hopper and close friend, John Biddle, are hoping to raise £10,000 towards the important cause. The duo will be setting off from Wallasey Village, stopping at Llandudno (60 miles), Aberdaron (70 miles), Barmouth (60 miles), Aberaeron (60 miles), St Davids (60 miles), Tenby (40 miles), Porthcawl (80 miles) and finally Bristol (70 miles).
The 500 mile round trip is set to be an epic adventure and video updates will be provided along the way via La Vida Liverpool’s Facebook page.
The Crowdfunder for the sponsored cycle is off to a good start, as it aims to raise £10,000 for the #Endthestigma campaign.
The mission of #Endthestigma is to raise £30,000 in order to create a community hub focused on tackling the major issue of mental health problems amongst males in the Liverpool region. The project will be based at Efik House below the existing wellbeing centre, Inner Guru, in Kirkdale, North Liverpool.
The centre will offer males support, advice, counselling, alcohol and drugs support groups, holistic therapies, workshops, courses, walks, coffee mornings, podcasts, sport and activities in order to improve mental health. The idea is to offer early intervention and ongoing human support to empower men and help prevent a wide variety of mental health problems, addictions and suicide.
Justin Hopper said: “John and I are both fully aware of the impacts of mental health problems, particularly amongst males. A shocking 75% of suicides are male and only last year a good friend took his own life. We are both keen cyclists and I have a great reach through the magazine, so it’s logical for us to do this. With the NHS underfunded and overstretched due to the pandemic, mental health waiting lists can often be months. What this project aims to do is create a centre that bridges the gap and provides ongoing support to males in Merseyside via a number of different methods.”
To donate to the Crowdfunder and sponsor the cycle CLICK HERE
Keep up to date with the cycle including video updates on La Vida Liverpool’s FACEBOOK PAGE
For more on the #Endthestigma campaign CLICK HERE