Co-founder of State of Mind and never having done a challenge like this before Phil Cooper is about to test his own State of Mind and mental fitness in embarking on the latest Steve Prescott Challenge
Phil who delivers education sessions as part of the State of Mind programme and who works as a Nurse Consultant in mental health and substance misuse at the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will begin the record breaking challenge to walk from Lands End to John O’Groats in 12 days. Phil has been affected by cancer in family and friends throughout his life and said “The Christie hospital do fantastic work and having had first had experience of the superb work they do, then raising money with the Steve Prescott Foundation will be an honour”
The Askvas Walk For Precky in Association with Container Cabins challenge begins at the Cornish Rebels rugby League club (who will be wearing the State of Mind logo on their shirts for the new season) and then onto Lands End to begin a gruelling 8 hours on walking and 8 hours off walking challenge for 12 days in a row. Phil can be seen warming up for the challenge by completing the recent St. Helens 10km race
The mental strength to deal with the many ups and downs such a challenge will entail will be a true test inspired by Steve Prescott. May 12th marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness week and the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety, one of the leading causes of mental ill-health in the world.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2014 will take place from May 12-18 when Phil will be walking across the country promoting mental fitness using State of Mind and rugby league to deliver those messages. Phil will complete the mammoth walk on the 16th May but will then run the Great Manchester 10km race to promote State of Mind’s work on the last day of mental health awareness week.
Phil will be walking in a team of four with Paul Sculthorpe, Jimmy Gittins and Mike Denning and will be sharing the walk schedule with Lee Briers, Tommy Martyn, Ade Cunliffe and former premier league referee Mark Halsey
If you would like to donate to Phil’s Just Giving page please click on the link www.justgiving.com/PhilStateofMind