Man embarks on epic mental health awareness walk

A man is walking more than 400 miles to Glasgow from Surrey to raise awareness of men's mental health issues.

Jack Percival, from Epsom, told the BBC he started the challenge in January, a year after he experienced serious issues with his mental wellbeing.

The 30-year-old has walked on average 20 miles a day since setting off from central Epsom and has now reached the north of England.

"I want to prove to men who are in a horrible space in their lives that they can do something positive," he said.

"If there is one message I would like to give, it is that whenever you think you can't go on, you can."

Mr Percival's goal is to reach Ibrox Stadium, the home of Rangers Football Club, who he supports.

He added the trek had taught him a lot about himself and perseverance.

"There have been times during this walk where I am dragging my feet at half-a-mile an hour," he said.

"I've got blisters. I am sore. But I have somehow managed to dig deep, grit my teeth, and push on."

Jack, a former golf course manager and father of two, told the BBC he also wants to raise money for Percy's Homeless Hub, an NGO he founded in honour of a woman who looked after him when he was homeless as a teenager.

The homeless charity offers a soup kitchen in Croydon - feeding up to 150 people each week - and helps addicts detox.

"I am missing home," he added.

"But I am getting so many nice messages of support it is keeping me going."

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