British actor and TV personality Ryan Thomas started his 10 marathons in 10 days walk today at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.
The 36-year-old is doing the 262-mile challenge to raise funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention charity, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). He has ready raised almost £33,000 through a JustGiving site.
His journey started at Buckingham Palace in London and will finish at Manchester Cathedral, passing through Harefield, Tring, Wolverton, Welton, Coventry, East Litchfield, Stafford, Congleton and Stockport.
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Ryan walks in mental health awareness week
Ryan was moved to take on the 10 marathon walks after hearing the shocking statistics on male suicide, as well as general impact of Covid-19 on the public’s mental health.
He said: “I am lucky enough to have a big following and as someone in the public eye I want to use it for positive change.
“The stats are shocking – and we need to do something about it. If one life is saved by me doing this challenge, if someone checks on their friend, or uses CALM for advice and help – then it will have been worth it.
“I’ll also be using the challenge as a platform to give the charity, mental health experts and survivors an avenue to tell their stories.”
Ryan is known his role of Jason Grimshaw on ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2000 until 2016. In 2018, he played Rafael Humphreys in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. He won the 22nd and final series of Celebrity Big Brother.
He revealed that lockdown helped him prepare for the charity challenge because walking was one of the few activities he was allowed to do.
CALM is leading the movement against suicide. In 2020, CALM directly prevented 564 suicides and the charity has revealed their helpline staff answer a call or webchat from someone who needs support every 66 seconds.
