Clacton firefighter raises more than £4,300 for mental health charity
Crew Manager Scott Hepburn from Clacton Fire Station has been running three miles and braving the icy North Sea every day in December to raise awareness of mental health. He’s raised more than £4,300 for the mental health charity, MIND.
Scott has been on a long, hard fight to recovery after he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder in 2019.
Throughout his battle, Scott has wanted to turn some of the worst moments in his life into positives for other people and be an ambassador for improving mental health awareness.
He has now reached a point where he feels ready to give something back.
So, every day in December, Scott has been running three miles – followed by a two minute dip in the North Sea!
That’s 93 miles of running and one hour and two minutes in the sea throughout December!
Scott said: “I don’t want anyone to suffer in silence. A problem shared is a problem halved and if I can get one person to stand up and get the help they need then I have achieved my aim.
“It’s proved to be a long month but I’ve stayed committed. Mental health doesn’t take days off so I’m getting it done and making a difference, trying to motivate people back to normality.
“It’s definitely helping others; I’ve had messages and chats with people that are suffering. My message is open up and get help, there is life after being in your dark place.
“Thank you all for your support and donations so far, it’s overwhelming.”
If you’d like to support Scott in his fundraising efforts, you can make a donation on Scott’s JustGiving page here.
Do you or someone you know need support with mental health?
Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has a 24-hour crisis line which offers immediate and specialist support to adults experiencing mental health crisis. Dial 111 and select option 2 for mental health crisis and you will be connected to a trained member of staff.
Page last updated 31 December, 2021