A 22-YEAR-OLD man has started his enduring challenge to run the length of Great Britain unassisted, in a bid to raise money and awareness for two mental health charities.
Tom Hall, a 22-year-old from Chalfont St. Giles, has taken on the incredible challenge of running 1,400 kilometres across the length of Great Britain, from John O'Groats to Land’s End. His mission is to raise funds and awareness for two mental health charities close to his heart: Millimetres to Mountains and Andy's Man Club.
When asked why it was important to raise awareness, funds and support for these charities, Tom, 22, said: "I struggle with my mental health. Every now and again, I feel low.
"It’s all about learning that you can speak to people and be around people when you’re feeling like that.
"Now, I’m able to manage it by talking to friends and setting myself challenges and a goal to work towards.
"It's given me a boost to keep fit and go to the gym regularly."
Tom chose these charities based on his personal experiences and the support they provided to two of his close friends.
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Millimetres to Mountains focuses on helping individuals facing adversity due to mental or physical health issues using the healing power of the outdoors, while Andy's Man Club offers free weekly support groups aimed at preventing male suicide. Both organizations resonate with Tom's own struggles with mental health.
"I struggle with my mental health and sometimes feel low," Tom shared.
"For me, it’s important to learn that you can talk to people and be around others when you’re feeling down. Setting goals and working towards them has been a way to manage it."
Tom emphasizes that his journey is as much about raising awareness for mental health as it is about raising funds. By setting physical challenges, like the long-distance run, he’s found a positive outlet to cope with his emotions.
Tom has taken on this challenge without any external support, carrying 10kg of supplies in a backpack as he plans his routes, accommodations, and sustenance day by day.
His decision to run unassisted reflects the personal nature of his mission.
"Although people support you when you’re struggling, ultimately, it’s something you go through alone," Tom explained. "I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could accomplish this on my own."
Tom, 22, said: "Both charities helped two close friends a lot so I knew I wanted to take on the challenge.
"My friend Georgia was in hospital for months on several occasions, and she is now paralysed from the waist down.
"However this hasn’t stopped her achieving her dream of recently being accepted into the GB para-rowing team.
"She is amazing. She has received massive support from Milimetres to Mountains."
Tom Hall's run to help two mental health charities coincides with suicide prevention month in the UK in September 2024. But with so much on the line, why did Tom decide to run solo and unassisted?
Tom said: "I felt like I wanted to do it on my own, because although you have people around you when you’re struggling, it is you that is struggling on your own.
"You can get through it with people coming in and supporting you. But I wanted to prove to people that I can also do it on my own.
"I've been planning each route each day, figuring out where I’ll stay, while finding the food and drink I need to survive.
"That's all with 10kg on my back.
"But I wanted to push myself, I didn’t want it to be easy."
He certainly hasn't made it easy for himself, however he is already 31 per cent closer to his target of £15,000 (correct at the time of writing).
The 22-year-old said he began training for this mammoth challenge officially, in March 2024.
He said: "I’ve always tried to keep reasonably fit, but I properly started in March 2024.
"I started off doing weight training 5 days a week and running 3 days a week.
"As the date got closer, I did weights once a week to keep me strong, then running 4 - 5 times a week."
Tom has been supported by many in the local community who have shared inspiring messages on his JustGiving page.
None have been more supportive than Tom's mum, Niki, who said: "I laughed when he told me what he was going to do, before I realised he was serious.
"Tom has never been a runner, however he was a rower which I think gave him the stamina to get through this
"Finding somewhere to stay each night with just a rucksack on his back, it's crazy.
"But I'm so proud and in total awe of what he's doing. The support he's receiving is helping him to get through it.
"He’s determined to keep going and he’s doing brilliantly so far.
"He’s getting so much support, cars are tooting, and he gets messages from people which are really helping him to keep going.
"When people do these things, they have a team of people who help to organise and arrange the challenge. But he was determined to do it himself."
Tom's mum, Niki, said Tom found it motivating to hear about the man who ran to Africa, Russell Cook, who ran over 16,000km in just 352 days.
"[Tom] He just wanted to do something to help other people and has been moved by his school friend that suffered from spinal paralysis," said Niki Hall.
Head to Tom's JustGiving page, where he is aiming to raise another £10k for the two charities.
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