Three friends, Toby, Oli and Reece took on a mammoth challenge – running 8 marathons in 8 days. Starting in Swansea and finishing in East Brighton golf club. They took on this challenge to raise awareness for men’s mental health in memory of their close friend, Ben, who took his own life.

Starting on 3 May, Ollie, Toby, and Reece set an ambitious target of covering around 45km a day from Swansea to Brighton. This huge challenge saw the team cover a staggering 350km and raise over £12,500 for Rethink Mental Illness. 

The route was symbolic as it connected the two home golf clubs of Ben. Friends joined in at various points on the route, supporting their challenge. 

“Ben was a light in this world taken far too soon,” Ollie said. “He was a son, a brother, and if you were lucky enough, a friend. This challenge pushed us further than we ever thought possible, emotionally, physically, and mentally. But every step was for Ben.”

Speaking on how the support was on the day, Ollie continued: “It has been overwhelming, from the donations to the sponsors, to the strangers who clapped us on through quiet villages. We felt Ben with us the whole time, and I truly hope we’ve done him proud. We set out to turn pain into purpose, and that is exactly what we did.”

Ben’s passing is a devastating reminder of a silent crisis. Suicides are at their highest rate this millennium and, in the UK, 80% of suicides are men. Lives are being lost. This cannot go on. 

Ollie’s brother Toby said the event become so much more than he ever imagined. Speaking on the experience he shared: “The pain, the emotion, the exhaustion, it was real. But so was the love. I am so proud of our team and so grateful to every person who supported us. To run side by side with my brother and Reece, and to carry Ben’s name every mile of the way, it is an experience I will never forget.”

Reece explained: “We ran for Ben, but we also ran for every man struggling in silence. I am incredibly proud of Oli and Toby, we held each other up... the kindness and support we received was just unbelievable. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who donated, sponsored, ran with us, or cheered us on.”