Ex-paratrooper runs length of UK - with weights

Bradley Heron set off on Monday

A former British paratrooper from Worcestershire has started an 800-mile challenge to raise awareness for men's mental health.

Bradley Heron, from Worcester, set off from the UK mainland's northern tip at John O'Groats on Monday and will run to Land's End in Cornwall in 20 days, all while wearing a 15kg (33lb) weighted vest.

Mr Heron said the vest was being worn to symbolise the "hidden burdens that men carry every day".

As well as awareness, money raised will go to Support our Paras and Men's Minds Matter.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester about his own mental health, Mr Heron said: "My mental health was fine when I left the army and then a lot of things happened that just spiralled out of control.

"Relationships, my parents splitting which then led to gambling, alcohol and it put me into a lot of debt and as time has gone on I'd say it's got harder.

"I really missed the purpose of the army, the structure and the brotherhood."

'You just need to talk'

Discussing his weighted vest, Mr Heron said: "It's going to be pretty heavy but obviously in the military you do a lot of weighted runs, so I'm kind of used to the weighted run itself but not to this extreme.

"I want to show everyone that it is okay to carry that hidden weight that so many men carry without telling anyone.

"You just need to talk, you need to communicate."

Mr Heron also said during his challenge he would be "having a lot of demons" telling him to stop.

"I'm definitely going to have a lot of mental health battles but again, I think the reason I'm doing it is going to push me through it."