A Selby man is undertaking an extraordinary challenge to raise funds for a local mental health charity that he credits with saving his life. Craig Lewis is walking from John O'Groats to Land's End, spending 65 days crossing Scotland and England on foot in a challenge dubbed 'Heel to Heal'.
A deeply personal journey
For Craig, this challenge is deeply personal. He lost his home, family, and marriage to addiction while battling severe mental health struggles. However, in 2025, he reached out to The Big Communitea and has since turned his life around.
VIP treatment from rail operators
Craig is starting his challenge during Mental Health Awareness Week with VIP treatment from Lumo and Hull Trains, two leading open access rail operators. He travelled from Selby to London with Hull Trains, chatting to customers about his challenge. He then joined a Lumo service to Edinburgh before making his way to the official starting point.
Hull Trains has supported The Big Communitea for several years. Charity founder John Venable recently appeared on the operator's 'Moving Minds' mental health podcast. The charity offers a mental health support line and a community drop-in centre, helping countless people every day.
What the charity says
John Venable, founder of The Big Communitea, said: 'For Craig, this walk is deeply personal. But for us, it's something even bigger. It shows the life-changing impact of mental health support and the power of community. It reflects everything The Big Communitea stands for: a safe, supportive space where people can rebuild, reconnect, and realise they are not alone. Thank you to our friends at Lumo and Hull Trains for their support. We can always count on them to support us when we come up with these ideas, and they are truly passionate about helping people, which means a great deal.'
Craig's message
Craig Lewis added: 'There are so many people like me who have hit rock bottom but are trying to find their way back. With the right support, understanding, and opportunity, recovery is possible. Just look at my story. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, especially Lumo and Hull Trains, who are giving me the best start to the challenge!'
Support from rail operators
Richard Salkeld, director of communications and partnerships at Lumo and Hull Trains, said: 'Everyone at Lumo and Hull Trains is wishing Craig the best of luck with this inspirational challenge. We're pleased to play a small part in his charity challenge getting underway and look forward to tracking his progress during the coming weeks. This is a wonderful example of community spirit, something that we're proud to champion. The communities we connect are stronger for charities like The Big Communitea, and long may their important work continue.'
Lumo, known for being among the top-performing UK operators, recently added Glasgow and Falkirk High to its all-electric East Coast Main Line service. The operator also announced that its new West Coast Main Line service will officially launch on May 25. Hull Trains is celebrating being named 'Operator of the Year' at the Spotlight Rail Awards and recently achieved the highest score in the Rail Customer Experience Report.
How to support Craig
Donations to Craig's challenge can be made online. The Big Communitea continues to provide vital mental health support in the Selby area and beyond.
