A scaffolder from Sheffield is set to walk 1,200 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in support of suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club.
Jordan Darby, 39, will begin the challenge on 1 May and aims to complete the journey in around 60 days. He plans to camp most nights and carry his equipment on his back.
The father of four says the challenge marks a major turning point after two decades struggling with alcohol and drug abuse.
In 2021, Darby was jailed for 32 months for attempted arson with intent to endanger life.
He says the time in prison forced him to step away from destructive habits and rethink his future.
“It took me away from the life I was living and gave me time to think,” he said to local media. “When I came out I started travelling and seeing places I’d never been before.”
After his release, Darby began hiking across the Lake District, Scotland and Wales.
The experience, he says, helped him rebuild his mental health and outlook on life.
“You realise things aren’t as bad as you thought,” he said. “There’s more to life than worrying about things that can be sorted if you speak to people.”
Darby hopes his walk will raise funds for Andy’s Man Club, a charity that runs peer-support groups across the UK encouraging men to talk openly about mental health.
“It’s brilliant what they do,” he said. “They help people open up without even realising it. It’s a community that’s helping a lot of people.”
The scaffolder says he hopes the challenge will also encourage others in the construction trades to speak more openly about mental health.
Anyone wishing to support the walk can donate through Darby’s fundraising page.
