Hey guys, 

In true Brad fashion I'm doing something very stupid. On April 22nd I'm attempting to hike/run the entire Maclehose trail (100km and 5,549 metres elevation gain) in under 24 hours! What makes it harder is that the current weather means it will roughly be 27 degrees and about 70% humidity and with the current restrictions I will have to wear a mask the entire walk. Why? Why would a podgy drama teacher who suffers from the world's worst chub rub (THE WORLD'S WORST) do this? I'm doing it to raise money for the mental health charity Mind HK a charity very close to my own heart. 

This is increasingly stupid as Jess at this point will be 39 weeks pregnant..... so if she does go into labour I will leave and return to finish the trail after baby Tuff has arrived.

Mind HK is a charity that is very close to my heart for a number of reasons:

1) Hong Kong is going through a crazy, crazy time. The last few years have been very difficult for Hong Kongers the continued covid restrictions have left many Hong Konger's feeling like their trapped here, it's left people jobless, homeless and lonely. Many people are frightened about being taken away to one of the strict government quarantine facilities and those that have had to endure this process have often spoke about the difficulties they went through being cut off from society. These restrictions have seen many people miss out on huge family events, deaths, marriages, births and left people feeling separated from their nearest and dearest which causes huge emotional distress. Hong Kongers for the most part, have remained resolute and positive throughout but sadly this has had a huge effect on the mental health of people here, something that is becoming more and more noticeable particularly within schools. 

2) Another reason I'm doing this is in memory of one of Jessica's closest friends Tilly. Tilly who sadly took her own life in September last year. She was the best. Always so much fun, beautiful inside and out and she is truly missed by us and all those who knew her! She also absolutely loved HK when she came out to visit us and we had so much fun!  Not being able to get home to celebrate her life with everyone broke Jess' heart and hopefully she'll accept my chub rubbed legs and blistered feet as a means of an apology. I also know that if Jessica wasn't 39 weeks pregnant she would 100% be joining me for some of this. This ones for you Pepper!

Mind HK is doing some fantastic work with people here helping them to maintain their mental health throughout the pandemic and quarantine and battling to raise awareness of mental health in a place that perhaps places less of a focus on one's mental health as it should!