A young man who survived a suicide attempt is cycling 1,500 miles round Scotland as he aims to inspire others suffering from mental health problems.
Josh Quigley, 23, known as the Tartan Explorer, will arrive in Inverness today on day 15 of his challenge to cycle round Scotland in 30 days.
Next month he will begin an epic two-year cycle round the world, leaving on May 26 and taking his message to 80 different counties on six continents, starting with a tour of Europe.
Mr Quigley, from Livingston, cycled along Loch Ness yesterday and stayed at the Dores Inn last night.
At Loch Ness and Inverness he is being joined by Carolyn Henderson, who was trained by See Me, the national programme to end mental health discrimination, to be a community champion, tackling stigma in the area.
Mr Quigley said: “Last year on May 26 I drove my car into a wall at a speed of 80mph and tried to kill myself. Very luckily I survived with no injuries.
“I felt I had to do something, I had my second chance to help other people and I came up with the idea to inspire other people who are thinking about suicide and show them that someone like me can do this.”
After leaving Inverness he will head for John O’Groats. The cycle round Scotland finishes at the Royal Mile in Edinburgh on April 26.
Ms Henderson, who lives near Foyers, said: “When I first met Josh I had done an event as a See Me champion that about 30 people turned up for. This young lad then quite eloquently explained to me he was going to cycle round the world visiting 80 countries saving lives as he went. My jaw hit the ground. That’s the effect Josh has on people.
“He is breaking through social barriers that exist in all cultures, faith, gender, race, age that say we are not allowed mental ill health in the open.
“It is an awfully big adventure and an awfully important message, helping Josh helps our society and might even save lives Mental health is taboo but here he is talking about it.”
Eleanor Ogilvie, See Me community manager, said: “Cycling around the edge of Scotland to get people talking about mental health and suicide is an amazing effort and an incredible personal challenge.”
