'I run to inspire others with mental health issues'

A former soldier is halfway through 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 his first marathon in September and has now completed 14.

The runner, who served in the Army from 2017 to 2022, has raised £2,400 for Mental Health Matters and wants to encourage young men to talk about their problems.

"Hopefully it spreads more awareness. Along my runs I speak about my emotions just to get the message out there," Mr Mitchard said.

He is planning to run about 300 miles from Bristol to Paris in March to mark the end of the challenge.

"It's been pretty tough to be fair but that's what I like about it - it's a challenge," he told BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Sims.

Mr Mitchard told the BBC he was helped by the forces to see a psychiatrist when his mental health started to decline in 2021.

Although he did not face combat overseas, he found training gruelling.

"I'm not sure what started it," he said. "Fighting [during training] was a big thing I think.

"In the military people just hid it and I started drinking to escape reality. The training is tough."

Mr Mitchard, who now works in security, said it is important for younger generations to not "bottle things up".

"I feel it's important for you to speak about your emotions, especially if you're feeling down - it prevents people from taking their own lives," he said.

"I want to help people and inspire people. Even if you can put your running trainers back on when you're feeling down or go to the gym, that's the main thing.

"There are people that will help you. There is help out there."

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