A former LJMU student is climbing a mountain, doing a triathlon and competing in 10 more events to raise money for a mental health charity.
Rob Quinn from Liverpool is starting a year-long quest of fundraising for the Young Person’s Advisory Service (YPAS) to mark the 50th year since the charity was founded.
He told JMU Journalism: “I feel there is still a stigma around mental health within today’s society, especially with men. Some of the statistics produced can be quiet shocking.
“The Mental Health Foundation state that around one in 10 children experience mental health problems and I hope doing my little bit may reach out to some children, young people or families who feel they or others who may benefit from some support.”
Rob is a counsellor at YPAS and will be competing in one event every month and he started with Liverpool’s Santa Dash on Sunday.
“Running is a hobby of mine, which I do regularly but I’ve never done a full marathon, so I thought I would challenge myself in an attempt to raise further money.”
The extensive list also includes: the Great North West Half Marathon, Liverpool Half Marathon, Liverpool Loop Line Cycle, Liverpool Rock n Roll Marathon, Mersey Tunnel Run, climbing Mount Snowdon, Liverpool Triathlon, Wirral 10k, Liverpool Beat The Reaper and Liverpool Mo-runners.
Rob added: “I’m also not a great lover of open water, so doing the triathlon which consists of me swimming in the Mersey with the jelly fish and eels is going to be the biggest challenge… but it’s all for a good cause.
“YPAS provides support through one-to-one counselling, family therapy, information advice and guidance, group work with self-harm and anger awareness groups and weekly support drop ins.
“I thought I would offer something back and attempt to reach my £1,000 target, which will be put towards the events YPAS will be running throughout next year.”
Rob graduated from John Moores with a psychology with sociology degree and attained a post graduate diploma in counselling and psychotherapy. He went on to work as a counsellor for the JMU counselling service.