Liam Bowers with his wheelbarrow at Brighton Marathon
A veteran from Farnborough has completed the Brighton Marathon with a wheelbarrow and 50 kilograms of weight to raise funds for a mental health charity.
Liam Bowers, an ex-Grenadier Guard who was based in Aldershot for 12 years, took part in the race on September 12 to raise awareness for mental health charity CALM (campaign against living miserably) and in memory of his friend and ex-colleague Elliott Hennell who sadly took his own life last year.
Liam, who is now living and working in Farnborough as a carpenter, met Elliott while touring in Afghanistan and Iraq. Elliott seemed happy but had hid his struggles as he did not have the help available to help battle with mental health.
Liam said: “Completing the marathon was both mentally and physically testing but I feel completing it was a great achievement, through putting myself through this challenge I managed to raise funds and awareness for CALM charity in honour and memory of a wonderful friend and former grenadier guard Elliott.
“CALM’s work is so important now more than ever and I really hope from raising awareness I can help those who are struggling know of the help available and be able to seek the guidance they need.”
CALM focuses on preventing male suicide and runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat to help with life problems and support those bereaved by suicide.
Liam explained that he believes it is vital to make people aware of their services as many people suffer life struggles and if some are more aware of the help available it may not escalate to suicide.
He completed the Brighton Marathon in 6 hours 11 minutes, a records for over 26 miles.
Those who want to support Liam’s fundraising efforts can visit his Just Giving page.
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