A MAN is aiming to walk 100 miles in just four days.

John Smith, from Hastings, is out to complete the trek from Winchester to Eastbourne with all he needs on his back in less than 100 hours. On days three and four he will be joined by his mum, Lorraine Smith, and her friend, Mandy Rowse.

John is embarking on his mission to raise awareness of mental health. He said: “Last year I went through a difficult time with my mental health. I was in an extremely dark place, even with my family supporting me, but thanks to the help I received from Sussex Partnership’s crisis resolution home treatment team I was able to work through, and learn how to cope with, my mental health issues.”

He hopes the challenge will raise awareness of the help available for people with mental health problems. He wants to raise £1,000 for Heads On, a Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust that provides specialist mental health and learning disability services across the south east. He will start his walk on May 2. You can sponsor John at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/john-smith151