What's It All About Epic Walk Update

24 years ago I walked 2.355 miles to raise money for cancer research and next year, to mark the 25th Anniversary, I am going to undertake another long distance walk, this time to raise funds which will ensure the continued development and growth of Reflections Magazine, our coffee table art books, positive practice in art in health awards, and development of our variety shows which will allow us to showcase the creative and performing talents of service user singers, bands, musicians and comedians, as we have always been very aware that the magazine only allows us to showcase the visual and written arts. I would also like to raise some funds for one of the charities helping our injured serviceman such as Combat Stress.

I am very aware that unlike my original walk 24 years ago, long distance walking is now fairly common, and in itself not very newsworthy. However the WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT EPIC WALK is a walk with a difference as I will be doing precisely that – trying to find out What It’s All About. I have long since thought that part of my own mental health problems are caused by the fact that I think so deeply about things, and it troubles me that all too often I am left with the burning question WHAT’s IT ALL ABOUT.  So I shall attempt to find out by interviewing various politicians, celebrities and senior health service people along the way. I am delighted to say that a great many people have already agreed to join me on the route and be interviewed, and I am delighted with the level of interest my walk is already generating.

I will begin the walk on March 22nd next year and will start at The Bethlem Hospital in Beckenham, Kent. My route will then take me to the Maudsley, Bexley, Tooting, Epsom, Chelsea, the TATE Modern, Westminster, Soho, Camden, Northampton, Birmingham, Leicester, Lincoln, Sheffield, Barnsley, Oldham, Manchester, Warrington, Chester, Liverpool, Preston, Bradford, Huddersfield, Mirfield, Wakefield, Doncaster, Darlington and Durham before finishing at St. Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle in May.

The end will be marked by a variety show featuring service user singers, bands and comedians, and hopefully will have achieved my other objectives of showcasing the creative talents of service users by wearing their art on my clothing, and highlighting the importance of the creative arts in aiding recovery, relieving stress and enhancing the healing environment.

Already all of the participating service providers are offering to stage event during my visits, as are the London Arts in Health Forum, so I am really excited by the possibilities. It is important to remember that by sponsoring and supporting my walk you will be helping us to continue to showcase the creative talents of service users to a national and international audience as we continue to create as many opportunities as possible for people to showcase and sell their work should they so desire.

YOU CAN HELP BY:-

*Purchasing What’s It All About Walk T-Shirts
* Sponsoring me
* Telling others about the walk
* Joining me for a few miles along the route
* Volunteering to drive the back up vehicle for a day or more
* Attending and becoming involved in the events planned in your area

Please contact us at Breakthrough if you can help:-
breakthrough@mentalhealth.freeserve.co.uk  or via our website at www.breakthroughmhart.com