Two friends from Blandford Forum are embarking on a 1,000-mile cycle from Land's End to John o'Groats to raise funds for a mental health charity, honoring the memory of a local man who died by suicide.
The Challenge
Dave Harding, a vet and clinical director of Damory Vets, and Dave James will begin their two-week journey on May 24. They aim to raise £10,000 for Andysmanclub, a men's suicide prevention charity that provides free support groups nationwide to combat the stigma surrounding men's mental health.
Remembering Kieran Davidson
The ride is dedicated to Dave James' stepson, Kieran Davidson, a beloved member of the Blandford Forum community who took his own life last year at age 34. Dave James shared: "Kieran was recently married, had an excellent job, and outwardly had life sorted, but this masked his mental health struggle to all but close family and close friends. His death blindsided us completely. We didn't see it coming as he was starting to open up and discuss his feelings with us and had sought professional help, but for Kieran, it wasn't enough. Through Kieran's untimely death, we have learned about suicide prevention charities like Andysmanclub that aim to get men talking about their feelings."
Joining Forces
When Dave Harding heard about the challenge, he was inspired to join. He said: "Kieran was a client of Damory Vets, and we were devastated by his passing. Dave is a close friend, and when he told me about the cycle, I offered to keep him company. Beyond fundraising, we want to encourage people to talk and share their feelings and not bottle things up. Suicide is now the leading cause of death among men under 50 in the UK. As a vet in a rural area, mental health struggles resonate with me because they affect both veterinary and farming professions."
Training and Preparation
Dave Harding added: "It will be an amazing but tough experience. I've cycled on and off and did a 100-mile charity ride ten years ago, but this is a much bigger challenge. Dave and I are training as much as possible to be well prepared for our May 24 start."
The fundraising page for the cycle ride is available on JustGiving.
