LOCAL man, Jonathan Nash, has completed a Great Wall of China walking challenge to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation in support of his daughter, Tabby.
Jonathan, who is a police sergeant for the Avon and Somerset Constabulary undertook the trek this month, exploring 70km of the Great Wall, snaking through mountains and valleys over five days.
To raise funds, Jonathan’s mother Jeanette Nash, alongside her friends at the Singin’ Group Melksham, have been holding bring and buy sales over the year. Overall, the group raised £1,545 towards Jonathan’s total of £5,221.68.
On his fundraising page written before his trek, Jonathan said, “I’ve never done anything like this before but I have been looking at ways I can support mental health charities, who give important advice and support to people with mental health problems as well as their families.
“It’s a challenge personal to me. My teenage daughter, Tabby, has struggled with her mental health. She has spent most of the past year in various adolescent psychiatric hospitals. It’s felt at times very frightening and, while Tabby has been fighting to get better, it’s been a confusing and disorienting time for myself and my family too.
“We have used many of the websites available in the UK that offer advice and information, such as Mind, Rethink, Young Minds, and the Mental Health Foundation. All of them can only continue to run with donations generated by fundraising. For anyone who’s ever used one of these websites, or phone lines, you’ll know what an invaluable and vital resource they are. Often, they can be life-saving.
“This trek gives me a chance to give back to one of these services and to highlight how poor mental health can effect everyone.
“My daughter and family are supporting me in this endeavour. I hope you can support me too with whatever donation you can afford to give. Thank you!”
Tabby also added to the fundraising page, “Nearly a year ago I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital following months of ill health. This was quite hard for me because I didn’t know what was wrong and neither did anyone else. It’s taken me a long time to be ready to move from the intensive care unit I’m currently on to an open ward. It’s onwards and upwards from here!
“I’m really pleased my dad is doing this walk as it might help anyone suffering with their mental health to know that it’s OK to ask for help. I hope my story too can show you will get through this.”
If you would like to donate towards Jonathan’s challenge, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JonathanNash1
Above: Jonathan with his daughter Tabby.
