A RUGBY teacher is tackling a gruelling challenge in support of a mental health charity.

Barnard Castle School sports teacher Joe Pickering will spend the month of June running, rowing and cycling the equivalent of 14.3km every day in the gym to help raise awareness about mental health and vital funds for MIIND.

In 2020, the Office of National Statistics published that 5,224 people in England and Wales took their own life, equating to an average of 14.3 people a day. Approximately one in four people experience a mental health issue each year, with one in six people across the UK experiencing a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression.

Mr Pickering, who is a former pupil and one of Barnard Castle School’s sports graduates, said: “The statistics from the ONS highlight the struggles that people in all walks of life face every day, which inspired me to create this fundraising challenge.

“Hopefully by completing this distance each day for 30 days I can raise even more awareness about mental health and support a worthy cause in the process.

“Mind is a fantastic charity which provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing mental health issues, while campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding nationwide.”

Anyone wanting to support his fundraising efforts can visit his GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/71d0de22.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054