Sheffield man who once felt “life was going nowhere” takes on epic charity walk to help others
A Sheffield man is walking from Cornwall to Scotland to raise money for men’s mental health
A man from Hillsborough is undertaking a remarkable 1,200-mile journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats, to spark conversation around men’s mental health and raise money for charity.
Now on day 6 of his epic walk, Jordan Darby, 39, from Winn Gardens, says the challenge is about far more than distance.
Jordan has spoken openly about his own 20 year struggle with mental health, including a suicide attempt in 2017.
He said: “I’m well beyond that now, but I did try to take my life.”
The devastating loss of a friend who died by suicide, is also something that continues to shape his mission today.
Jordan said: “Charities like Andy’s Man Club are so important – I didn’t reach out - but I want others to know they can, because if I had, I could’ve saved 15 or 20 years of my life.”
Jordan described a period of his life where he felt stuck: “I was stuck in a rut, partying too much, making daft decisions - I was struggling.”
But three years ago, he discovered walking, something he credits with transforming his outlook.
He said: “It put a smile back on my face and made me realise what I’d been missing all this time.
Finding a passion, he says, was life-changing.
“We all loved something as a kid. For me, I loved getting outdoors - but I didn’t follow through with it as I got older.
“Now getting back into it has made me fall back in love with life.”
Jordan encourages others to understand themselves better.
"Learn yourself and your triggers. Learn how to get yourself out of it.
“When I personally feel myself getting down, I try and get myself out on a walk, and suddenly all of the issues go away. But for other people it might be gym, chess – anything.”
Now, he hopes his journey will encourage more men to open up.
“People are definitely speaking about mental health more, but it’s not enough yet – still a lot more conversation and awareness to be raised,” he said.
He reflected on his dad’s struggle with mental health too, despite never opening up about it.
For this reason, he says conversation is key.
“It is so important to get people to talk, through charities like these - or just by raising awareness.”
“Yesterday I was walking and got a massive blister on my toes but I taped my toes and got myself to keep going.
“Mental health is all about taking the rough with the smooth, just like this walk. It is hard but that makes it worth it.”
Although he spends much of the journey alone, he says support from others has been overwhelming.
Friends have joined him for sections, and others have helped behind the scenes.
One friend, Ian, has even been contacting places ahead of time to arrange accommodation.
“Completely off his own back, in his own time, he’s been reaching out to places trying to sort me a bed for the night along my journey. No fuss, no asking for anything in return, just genuine kindness and support.”
He added: “Honestly, it’s people like him who are making these days brighter and reminding me what this is all about. When things get tough, knowing someone’s got your back like that means more than I can put into words.”
Jordan said this support highlights an important message: “Whatever you’re going through, there is always someone to help – whether it’s doctors or friends. There are always people wanting to help you.”
Self-employed, he has taken time off work to complete the challenge, despite the financial impact.
“I lose out on 60 days of wages, which is a lot. But you can’t take money with you. I just want to see the world and help others – that’s what it’s about,” he said.
“I don’t have money to have a hotel every night, but my £50 tent has got me through, and I’ve woken up in places far more beautiful than any hotel view.”
So far, he has raised more than £2,000, with a target of £3,000.
Reflecting on his fundraising so far, he said: “It makes me feel like, what have I done to drive such support?
“I have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye even as I talk about it now.
“At one time, my life was going nowhere, so to see it now is such a feeling.”
Alongside the walk, Darby also runs a group called Endless Walking on Facebook, which hosts a group walk on the first Saturday of every month.
The initiative is about making the outdoors more accessible and building community.
“Not everyone has confidence in map reading or navigation, so it is about giving people the opportunity to join us – building community,” he said.
The group has already drawn people from across the country, with one participant recently travelling from Milton Keynes to the Peak District to take part.
For Jordan, every mile walked is a step toward change - not just for himself, but for others who may be struggling in silence.