Huge thanks to REDJanuary supporters - you've smashed the target!

RED January
DAY 31: 200 miles reached

A MASSIVE thanks to everyone who supported the REDJanuary challenge in support of Mind, the mental health charity. You've been awesome!

My goal was £200 for 200 miles - and both have been reached (actually exceeding the fund-raising goal!).

I planned to complete my 200th mile at Coventry War Memorial, and didn't expect to feel the elation as I ran those few final yards to 'hit the spot' on mile 200 (ok, so perhaps it took a few extra steps around the memorial itself!).

LAST LEG: The final yards to Coventry
War Memorial to hit my 200-mile goal.

Because of injury, I was unable to run at the beginning of January, so it's been a case of walking, cycling and a gradual increase in running over the month.

Work commitments during the day meant that many 'excursions' have been after dark, giving my home city a whole new, sometimes eerie, dimension.

One thing REDJanuary has done is get me back on to a bike - after literally decades of no cycling whatsoever.

It has also put me in touch with an amazing online community, which bubbled with encouragement and support - and was testament to how 'being active' can benefit mental as well as physical wellbeing.

And, importantly, it has raised awareness and funds - thanks to your generous donations - which have gone directly to Mind.

The support and encouragement I have received from family, friends and well-wishers has been tremendous, and helped push my rattling bones to the very last mile. A huge thanks, once again, to you all.

ALL DONE: At Coventry War Memorial
after finishing the REDJanuary challenge.

Following REDJanuary, I'm taking part in the NHS1000 Miles. This is a challenge marking the 70th anniversary of the NHS, and where you 'donate' miles of physical activity - it could be running, walking, cycling, swimming, whatever - during 2018.

It's a brilliant idea, dreamed up by Kath Evans (@kathevans2) a children's nurse who leads on improving experiences of care at NHS England, Nichola Jackson (@NicolaJackson13), a commissioner in Cumbria, and Catherine Wilson (@WilsonCat), a mental health nurse working at NHS England.   

The challenge provides the incentive of an individual goal to aim for, but also generally raises the 'health of the nation.'

Click here for further details on the NHS1000 Miles challenge.

Also see the Twitter hashtag:

#NHS1000miles

FANTASTIC SUPPORT: My REDJanuary JustGiving page (below). The £200 goal has been exceeded, and donations are still coming in.