Aberdeenshire man’s 96-mile fundraising trek for Mind
A local Aberdeenshire man is turning his struggles into strength, as he embarks on a mammoth 5-day trek in support of a charity close to his heart.
Leighton Collins, from UK parcel delivery company Evri, has tasked himself with completing the gruelling 96-mile West Highland Way walking trail, as he looks to raise awareness and vital funds for Mind mental health charity.
And this challenge is particularly poignant for Leighton, aged 47, who last year found himself dealing with his own mental health struggles.
“Twelve months ago, I was in a place I never thought I’d come back from,” said Leighton. “Without the support of Mind and my loved ones, including my wife Jennifer, as well as my colleagues at Evri, I came incredibly close to not being here today.”
In managing to overcome what was a dark period in his life, Leighton, a depot general manager for Evri in Dundee, hopes to provide help and inspiration to others that might be struggling right now.
As part of his trek, which stretches the 96 miles from Milngavie, north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, Leighton also plans to document his travels, giving people a window into his progress, as well as sharing his own story.
“I wanted to share my journey in real-time throughout the trek, as it’s not only important to me that I can raise money and awareness, but also that I can share my own experiences and how I got to the place I’m at now.
“For anyone going through their own mental health struggles right now, I want them to know they aren’t alone. If I can encourage just one person to reach out for support, then it will all be worth it.”
And while he is spurred on by his determination, Leighton is under no illusion of the challenge ahead, as he plans to camp along the route, which is a fairly rugged terrain.
“I know this will test me both physically and mentally but, alongside resilience, this will also be an opportunity to reflect on my recovery, and throughout this trek I’ll be walking with purpose, pride, and hope, not only for myself but for anyone who’s still in their fight.”
Leighton will embark on his trek from 22nd September and plans to share his journey through his social media, as well as via his Youtube channel @leightonWestHighlandWay.
A fundraising page has been set-up with all proceeds being donated to Mind charity. Anyone interested in donating can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/page/leighton-collins-8?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL