Movember: Man running four ultramarathons after father's death

Harry Cleary said he wants to "show men the importance of talking and asking for help"

A London man is taking on mammoth marathon challenge for mental health awareness after his father's death.

Harry Cleary, 25, is raising money for the charity Movember by running four 56km (35 miles) ultramarathons in just one month.

Mr Cleary said he wanted to fundraise by running after it helped support him while grieving.

The first three runs will be every Saturday in London from 4 November. The final one will be Leeds on 26 November.

'I was seeking solace'

Mr Cleary said he ran to find "solace, direction and an escape" after his father's death

Mr Cleary's "complex" but "fiercely intelligent and sharp-witted" father Graham passed away in February, from problems connected with alcoholism.

He explained: "Watching the male figurehead in your life pass away as a shell of the man he once was is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I'm determined that won't happen to me.

"As someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety myself, I sought physical outlets as healthy coping mechanisms.

"I literally got into running in March as I was searching for some solace, some direction and some sort of purpose - alongside finishing university."

He added that running had helped him to get into "the happiest and healthiest shape of my life, both physically and mentally, helping transform the toughest year of my life".

Help and support

If you're affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.

Mr Cleary, who has mapped his own routes for the runs, said his final run will have special significance as he will be racing past places that were important in his father's life.

Mr Cleary said he hopes his challenge will provoke life-saving conversations

"I'm running past my dad's childhood home in Farsley, and then the first house that he bought when he first moved out at 19," he said.

He'll finish his final ultramarathon inside Leeds stadium, as both his dad and grandfather were Leeds United fans.

'Ask for help'

Mr Cleary said some people have even offered to join him on the journeys and as he approaches a milestone £3,000 in funds raised, he hopes his mission will spark some life-saving conversations.

"My dad would never open up about his feelings," he said.

"I want to show men the importance of talking and asking for help if they need it."

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