A former soldier is in the middle of a challenge to run 26 marathons in 26 weeks to raise money and awareness about mental health.
Ashley Mitchard, 22, from Hanham, near Bristol, ran her first marathon in September and has now completed 14 times.
The runner, who served in the Army from 2017 to 2022, wants to raise £2,400 for mental health issues and encourage young men to talk about their issues.
“I hope there will be more awareness. I talk about my emotions while running to get the message across,” Mitchard said.
He plans to run around 300 miles from Bristol to Paris in March to mark the end of this challenge.
“It’s been quite difficult to be impartial, but that’s what I like about the job. It’s a challenge,” he told BBC Radio Bristol’s Joe Sims.
Mr Mitchard told the BBC that when his mental health started to deteriorate in 2021, he sought help from a psychiatrist with the help of the military.
Although he did not participate in combat overseas, his training was grueling.
“I don’t know what triggered it,” he said. “Finting” [during training] I think that was a big thing.
“In the military, people just hide it and I started drinking to escape reality. The training is tough.”
Mitchard, who now works in the security industry, said it’s important for younger generations to “not bottle things up.”
“I think it’s important to talk about your feelings, especially when you’re depressed. This can prevent people from taking their own lives,” he says.
“I want to help people and inspire people. That’s it.
“There are people out there who can help you. There’s help out there.”
