Fordhouses’ Leigh Edwards was given a hero’s welcome in front of 250 people at Bilbrook Juniors Football Club when he ran the final few metres on what has been a 262-mile labour of love to raise awareness for men’s mental health.
The QA Analyst for Bromford Housing has so far raised over £7000 for Mandem Meetup, a non-profit organisation set-up to in Wolverhampton to create confidential spaces where men can talk to other men that have experienced their own mental health issues.
It also provides a host of mindfulness and physical activities, including a ‘Work In, Work Out’ programme, hiking up the Wrekin in Shropshire, meditation, talking circles, boxing and wild camping.
Leigh has been heavily involved in the charity after suffering from auditory psychosis in 2019, when a voice in his head was persuading him to kill himself.
This culminated in him planning to leave the house to take his own life when his mother, Tracey, stopped him at the door after she saw the ‘signs of pain’ he was in.
“Well, the ‘10 in 10’ was some challenge…wow, talk about highs, lows, all different types of weather and pain, lots of pain,” explained Leigh after finishing on Tuesday evening.
“The support has been overwhelming from people running marathons with me and making me meals even when they don’t know me, to getting specialist massages and even a spell in a cryogenic chamber - all to make sure I completed it.”
He continued: “It was a personal challenge that involved so many people and, importantly, there has been so much talk about men’s mental health. That’s the really important thing and something I hope will continue…conservation is vital and there is help out there!
“I can’t believe how many people rushed home from work to see me cross the finish line. The fundraising total is over £7000 but I’m hoping we can still hit £10k with a bit more Black Country generosity.”
Leigh, who is about to get married to his girlfriend Hannah in August, started the ’10 in 10’ at Molineux Stadium and his self-designed route took him to Lichfield through the peak district and 3000 ft elevations on to Manchester, then to Liverpool, Stoke and finally back to Wolverhampton.
Despite the injuries, adverse weather conditions and general fatigue, there was only one point where he was going to give up, before his support crew and passers-by gave him renewed momentum to continue.
“The cause was too important to stop, despite medical advice telling me not to continue,” added Leigh.
“Fundraising for Mandem Meetup will help us expand the service to support more men, providing a dedicated ‘WhatsApp’ group to give them a place to talk and lots of other spiritual and fitness activities, including Monday night football sessions.
“If this challenge gets one man to talk and it saves their life then it will have been worth it. And we’re not stopping there…the conversation is about running the length of the country, but I’ll have a few months off first!”
Leigh has received fantastic support on the challenge from Allen’s Electronic Security, Sian Computers, Bushbury Gym, Northern Lights Coffee Shop and MeadowLea Logistics, not to mention advice, guidance and training help from Coaching with Katie Ford, Tommy Johnson Massage and Rich Taylor Performance.
To donate to Leigh’s fundraising efforts, please visit gofundme.com/f/maintain-our-free-services-to-the-men-of-our-community. More info on Mandem Meetup Wolves can be found at mandemmeetup.org/locations/wolverhampton.