Samaritans prepare to welcome Sid as 300-mile challenge concludes

Mental health campaigner (and Quack!) has raised £20K

A Manx mental health influencer is due to complete a 300-mile challenge in Douglas today (26 September).

Sid Batty and his companion Quack are raising money for Samaritans as part of Suicide Prevention Month.

Sid is running 100 miles for OCD, 100 miles for depression and 100 miles for anxiety - the three conditions he was diagnosed with at the age of 19.

So far he’s raised more than £20,000.

Over three weeks he’s run to locations across the UK which have a significant meaning to him.  

His challenge is due to finish at the Bee Gee’s statue on Douglas Promenade at 12.30pm.

“I have chosen to do this challenge completely alone. No support team, no help along the way, just me and my thoughts. This is because I want it to symbolise the battles we all go through on our own. And even though it might feel like we're alone, we never truly are.” - Sid Batty

The former FC Isle of Man player will also be returning to The Bowl this evening - where he played in The Ravens’ first-ever league game - with the Samaritans.

Union Mills nursery Toddlers United is donating £1 to Samaritans for every person who attends tonight’s fixture.

Throughout September Isle of Man Samaritans has been encouraging the Island community to talk, listen and realise that small, simple gestures can ‘make a difference’.

This weekend the charity will also be welcoming David Matthew MBE to the Island as part of his 6300 mile ‘Listening Walk’.

David is visiting 200 Samaritans branches across Great Britain and the island to raise awareness of the work carried out every day by volunteers.