RESIDENTS in Stanford-le-Hope opened their hearts and wallets to a man who is trekking around 7,000 miles around the country to support the charities that helped him turn a corner in his life.

Chris Jones attended Sunday's service of Remembrance in the town, where he was camped in the beer garden of the Rising Sun pub, and says he has been overwhelmed by the local support and welcome.

He is nearing the end of a two year trek around the country, having already walked more than 5,000 miles since leaving his home at Woodhall Spa and setting out from nearby Skegness on New Year's Day 2023.

Chris began the walk as part of his therapy after recovering from a breakdown in his mental health and he sees it as a way of repaying those who helped him and raising awareness.

His trek has already raised more than £50,000 for Masonic Supported Charities.

He says: "I believe I'm alive today because of the Freemasons' charity the MCF, which steered me through the darkest days of a mental health crisis.

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"So why am I walking so far? I'm very open about my struggle with mental health and this is the main focus of this challenge. I have suffered with poor mental health for about 10 years and the very lowest points have cost days and sometimes weeks of my life contemplating suicide and an escape from the misery.

"I've no idea why or exactly when it started, but back in 2020 I was at my very lowest and my wife Michelle eventually convinced me to seek help. I can't remember why I was looking at the MCF website, but I noticed a link to a Mental Health Support programme. I called the number, and 35 minutes later I received a call back from a mental health specialist. We talked for over an hour.

"She set me up on a counselling programme and I don't have any doubt that her persistence, understanding and thoroughness saved my life. The programme lasted for about six weeks and to this day I still use some of the techniques I learnt to try and help when I feel my mood changing and I sense the 'big black dog' appearing…

"The walk is to say thank you to the professionals who helped me. Throughout the journey far I've been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and the unstinting ways in which they've helped."

The former member of the Royal Engineers wanted to be in a place to commemorate Remembrance Sunday and says he could not have found anywhere any better than Stanford.

"The people in the Rising Sun, particularly Wayne and his son, have been great and there has been a tremendous welcome in the town" he said.,

You can learn more about Chris on his website and follow his remaining 500 miles of walking on his Facebook page. 

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In addition you can make a donation here.