A WILTSHIRE gym owner is hoping to raise £10,000 for Wiltshire Mind in memory of his father.

D J Hussey, of New Era Fitness on the Bowerhill Industrial Estate at Melksham, is trying to raise awareness of mental health issues.

He has organised a 1,000-mile run from Land’s End to John O’Groats, starting on Saturday, July 28.

D J, his wife Aimée, and 14 other fitness fanatics from the Lysander Road gym will take it in turns to run the distance within seven days.

His father, Peter Hussey, suffered from depression and took his own life when D J was only four years old.

Mr Hussey said: “My father was a shift manager at Avon Rubber and suffered from depression.

“I was only four years old when he died. The only thing I have to remember what he looked like is a photograph.

“We have called our challenge the Mighty Titans vs The Entire Country.

“We will be running mainly on A and B roads and some dual carriageways,” he said.

The other people taking part are Mark Hanman, Neil Johnson, Sherelyn Cowles, Nicky Applegate, Sam Gooding, Tiggy Bartholomew, Jennifer Hale, Andy Gibbs, Jo Vivash, Dawn Rutty-Whiting, Mick Smith, Nick Weston, Amy Greenman and her mother Judith Greenman.

Their four support vehicles will be driven by Dawn’s husband Steve Whiting, Mark’s wife Tracey Hanman, Neil’s wife Alison Johnson, and Nick Weston’s father-in-law Dave Woodman.

The runners will split into four teams of four runners, each responsible for running 31 miles, day and night, until they reach their destination.

They are offering a series of sponsorship packages to local businesses and are expecting the challenge to provide a tough test of their stamina and mental endurance.

With one in four people suffering from mental health problems, the independent charity plays a key role in providing safety and mental health support to those in the local community.

Its vision is of a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all and that treats people with experience of mental distress fairly, positively and with respect; helping them to find the support they need and deserve.

Mr Johnson, who runs the Navtax accountancy service in Melksham, said: “In helping to raise money for those experiencing issues with their mental health, we are giving a company sponsorship to raise awareness of the brilliant work Wiltshire Mind are doing and the fantastic services they offer.”

Anyone wishing to support the team should donate to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/themightylejog