'I nearly took my own life - Now I want to make other men aware of their own mental health needs' - Prolific Wolverhampton marathon runner is set to take on challenge
A Wolverhampton man is about to embark on his biggest ever running challenge to raise awareness of male mental health and raise vital money for a city charity.
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Leigh Edwards from Bushbury, who nearly took his own life after suffering auditory psychosis, begins his ten marathons in ten days challenge on June 1 when he sets off from Molineux at 9.30am.
And the QA Analyst and keen football fan will keep up the theme of the beautiful game, with three of the ten marathons starting at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Bet 365 stadium in Stoke, with the whole event finishing at Bilbrook Juniors FC on Tuesday June 10 where he has organised a welcome home charity event
Part of the aim is to highlight the work on Mandem Meetup Wolves where he runs the Monday night football session and the monthly homeless outreach programme at the Good Shepherd charity.
The organisation, which also has groups in other areas, supports hundreds of men every year with a dedicated ‘WhatsApp’ group providing a place for them to talk, share experiences and gain help.
It also provides a host of mindfulness and physical activities, which have helped Leigh himself who credits his mother for saving him by getting him help when he was suicidal.
He said: "She spotted I was struggling and got me help. At that stage, I was planning to take my own life.
“Men find it difficult to talk and ask for help and that’s what we’re trying to change with Mandem Meetup and I will also be highlighting the Manchester group by visiting Old Trafford.
"We’re doing lots of exciting things and activities but need funding to reach as many people as possible and that’s why I came up with this ‘10 in 10’ challenge.
“I’ve done a couple of ultras before so have a base fitness but, this is something else and I’ve had to really train hard to get into a position to take on the 262-miles that will be spread over the 10 marathon routes I’ve designed myself – there’s plenty of hills in there so I haven’t made it easy.”
Leigh has a target of £15,000 and is already £1,500 into it with help from Wolverhampton businesses including Allen’s Electronic Security, Sian Computers, Bushbury Gym, Northern Lights Coffee Shop and Meadow Lea Logistics.
He has also received advice, guidance and training for the mammoth task from Katie Ford, Tommy Johnson Massage and Rich Taylor Performance and is encouraging people to either join him on one of the routes or to sponsor him.
Christian Denton, who founded Mandem Meetup Wolves with friend Jamie Lewis said: “To run one marathon is a massive achievement, but to do back-to-back ones for ten days is incredible.
“Leigh has struggled with his own mental health issues and we’ve both had friends who have taken their own lives, so this one is personal on several fronts.
"The more money he can raise, the more men we can help and support in Wolverhampton and the wider Black Country.”
To donate to Leigh’s fundraising efforts visit www.https://www.gofundme.com/f/maintain-our-free-services-to-the-men-of-our-community.
More info on Mandem Meetup Wolves can be found at https://www.mandemmeetup.org/locations/wolverhampton.
