During one week in November, Leigh will cycle more than 2180 miles to break the record. In the lead up to his attempt, he would like you to take part in your own seven-day challenge of cycling, running, walking or any other physical activity, to keep fit and do your bit for mental health research.
Buy a 7 Days of Smiles cycle jersey or 7 Days of Smiles T-shirt and profits from the sales will be donated to MQ.
If you want to donate more, give via the MQ donation page, and if you’d like to start your own fund-raising project, sign up to the MQ Just Giving page.
The challenge begins on the first day of Mental Health Awareness week, Monday 9th of May, and finishes in November when Leigh completes his world record attempt. Your 7 Days don’t need to be consecutive and can be spread out over those six months, so you have plenty of time.
It’s as simple as that!
In joining our online community of fundraisers, we can support each other throughout our chosen challenges. Feel free to post updates about your activities on our Facebook group and ask fellow participants for advice – we are all in this together.
This is all about enjoying your unique 7 Days of activity. However, since 2022’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is loneliness, why not do it with friends or family, or even organise something bigger! Post your activity ideas on our Facebook group and encourage others to join you and do the same.
Whatever you do, make sure you are wearing your 7 Days of Smiles apparel when you do it. Order yours today!
For every 7 Days of Smiles top bought, the good people at HUUB will donate to MQ. However, if you wish to do more you can either make a donation at MQ or start your own fundraising page at the MQ Just Giving page.
At 25 years old, I believed I’d fulfilled society’s expectations and had all the ingredients for ‘success’. However, it didn’t work for me. Overworked, lonely and sabotaging my own life, I was diagnosed with depression. One question I was asked during counselling will always stand out in my memory, “What colour do you see when you look to the future?” “I don’t see anything,” I replied from the leather chair in the sterile consultant’s office, “Just black. Emptiness.”
That summer, two friends and I took our own month-long motorbike adventure across Iceland. It was an introduction to a world unknown to me; a world of National Geographic panoramas and the freedom to explore them however we chose. Thriving on the challenges of new languages and landscapes, I came to life. It was the catalyst that changed my outlook; within a month of returning home, I cut my ties with the trappings of ‘success’ and set out on the journey that led me to cycling around the world.
Previously, life had been governed by prescription and routine but on the road, where nobody could teach me what to do, I had to find my own answers. Discovering my own way gave me my life back. I’d been doing everything to please others and suddenly I was pleasing myself.
At first, I believed that in cycling the world I would be out there alone, one man against the mountains, jungles and deserts, but accepting my vulnerability became my greatest strength. Turning to strangers for help, I shared my challenges and realised I wasn’t on a solo quest against the world, but rather an adventure working with it.
The more I experienced of the world, the more I discovered I wanted to do with my life. The emptiness that represented my future in the counsellor’s chair became a rainbow of colours and opportunities in the saddle of the bike.
My motivations for attempting the Guinness world record for the Greatest Distance Cycled in Seven Days remain the same as for cycling around the world, it’s a continuation of my journey of self-discovery. This is my opportunity to take all the lessons I learned in the ‘dream world’ of travel and test them in the ‘real world’, pushing myself to another level.
We are all athletes trying to break our own world record; we each have a different target, but we can all use the same tools to reach it. Attempting this record not only presents an opportunity for me to continue my own personal development, but to raise awareness of mental health in the hope that others won’t end up in the same situation as I did.
Throughout training, planning and the attempt itself, I’ll be bringing you behind the scenes videos and blogs, documenting what it takes to prepare for a world record. I look forward to sharing my journey with you and I look forward to being a part of your 7 Days of Smiles challenge, too.
At the age of 25 I was diagnosed with depression. I found my salvation in adventure and went on to cycle around the world. Attempting this record presents an opportunity for me to raise awareness of mental health issues in the hope that others won’t end up in the same situation as I did.
Wow. Utterly, wow. Leigh certainly was inspirational and indeed such a breath of fresh air, he created such a buzz around the school. I was impressed by not only the attendance of staff and parents, but the volume of students who came along. Thank you – Leigh really has touched and motivated a lot of our students
Roberta Keys, Deputy Headteacher, Malvern College
It’s was a real honour to partner with Leigh, he’s such an inspirational person and a great business speaker. The aim of the session was for delegates to leave in a positive, can do frame of mind, feeling confident that they can use some of Leigh’s tips to bolster team spirit, harness potential and exceed expectations. This is something I’m confident the event achieved
Mary Maguire, MD, Astute Recruitment
Leigh delivered one of the most professional and engaging talks at the festival this year. It was clear that Leigh had put a lot of thought into what he wanted to convey in his talk, carefully pulling out the key stories and themes from all his years on the road. Leigh's talk was engaging throughout and delivered with a real sense of humility.
Laura Moss, Cycle Touring Festival Organiser
When we invited Leigh to present to our staff about his experiences in creating a support echo system and team to help him break a world record, we never imagined that it would have had such a positive impact on everyone who attended. Leigh influenced, motived and inspired our staff to be the better version of themselves and gave them guidance and the tools to achieve this individually and within a team environment
Steve Reynolds, CEO, TBS Mobility
The young people of Kingsmead School are generally from disadvantaged backgrounds and have low aspirations for their future. Leigh held the attention of the young people superbly, he was entertaining and funny and the pupils engagement was not lost at all. I would heartily recommend Leigh and his inspirational story to anyone, it left pupils and staff inspired and awestruck.
Huw Lloyd, Assistant Headteacher, Kingsmead School
Leigh is a natural communicator, using humour and his modest personality, Leigh's account of his fascinating experiences was delivered in a completely natural way that immediately connected with both the students and the teachers.
Claire Tresidder, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School Ashbourne Academy
The TEDxRNCM audience were utterly captured through Leigh’s account. This wasn’t just an account however, but an experience. Eloquently delivered but with real personality, Leigh gave inspiration, insight, enjoyment and even humour - a talk I won’t be forgetting for a long time
Hayley Parkes, TEDx Event Organiser
Leigh delivered a fantastic presentation during our Global Health and Wellbeing day. We had a lot of positive feedback from his inspirational talk which definitely raised the profile of mental health within our organisation. Leigh is an inspiration to everyone
David Wilson, Global Head of Health and Wellbeing, Victrex
Leigh articulates his passion and learning so well that his enthusiasm and motivation transcends the world of sport and is relevant for physical, psychological and organisational wellness and performance. He is a truly phenomenal speaker and comes highly recommended
Deputy Chief Constable, East Midlands Special Operations Unit