A STUDENT from Haberdashers’ Monmouth School participated in a solo charity event to raise proceedings for Mind UK.

John Gibby, 16, is currently a Year 12 student at Haberdashers’ Monmouth. About six months ago, he came across the very sobering statistic that over 100 people die by suicide every week in the UK.

He was really struck by this and decided, entirely off his own back, that he wanted to do something to raise awareness and money for the mental health charity, Mind UK. With this in mind he set his own challenge of running 100km, a kilometre for each of those lives lost each week.

The event took place on Saturday October 24, starting at 7am from Monmouth School Sports Centre and finishing just before 9pm, nearly 14 hours later.

He ran back and fourth between Monmouth and Symonds Yat, along the Hadnock Road and Peregrine Path, more than six times, in some pretty dreadful wind and rain.

One of the really lovely aspects of the day was how many family members and friends came along to support him, running alongside him for different sections.

Despite the weather and the sheer distance involved, John kept going and completed the full 100km.

John has now raised an incredible amount of over £2,500 for Mind and donations are still coming in.

Johns parents, Laura and John Gibby said: “So, so proud of John. He suggested six months ago that he wanted to arrange this and raise money, and never did we think he’d actually follow through with it! He showed amazing perseverance, determination and grit, particularly in such dreadful conditions.

“We’re so, so proud of him.”