A MAN who came close to taking his own life is to run from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise awareness around male mental health.

Henry Ainsley is taking on the 874-mile challenge in memory of his brother who took his own life six years ago.

The 48-year-old carpenter, who lives in Worthing, also went through a period of depression around four years ago and said his son’s voice in his head saved him from killing himself.

Henry said: “I suffered greatly as a young man and as a child.

“I lost my brother and uncle to suicide.

“I was five-minutes from death myself but I chose to fight back but then I found running and now I can start motivating people and they seem to listen when I speak.

“It’s been very tough but I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Henry, who also calls himself the Bearded Runner, is planning on running the famous challenge in September, depending on coronavirus restrictions.

He plans on stopping in villages and towns along the route, using his skills as a carpenter to do jobs voluntarily for the community.

He said: “As I stop along the way I’m hoping to make contacts with charities and find people who are struggling and have some jobs that need doing.

“There are so many people out there doing amazing work for charity but I wanted to be real and authentic and show people that I am not just someone who is being rolled out to represent something, I am someone who has lived through this and worn those shoes on a day-to-day basis.”

Henry recently completed 52 half marathons in 52 days to raise money for the mental health charity Mind and a men’s talking group called Andy’s Man Club.

He completed his last half marathon on Sunday, January 3, setting out from Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham and raised a total of £5,000.

But Henry has taken no time to rest and has already begin training for this year’s challenge.

He said: “The 52 half marathons I took on all got cancelled because of the pandemic, but after I had a bit of a sulk and thought my journey was over, I decided to do it anyway.

“I set out to make as much money as possible but that really has now become a by-product and I have become a voice for people who are struggling.

“I will raise awareness for them. I have to look for the next challenge.”