A KEIGHLEY man is preparing to cycle nearly 1,000 miles across Great Britain to raise awareness of men's mental health.

Ryan Anderton, a sales executive at newly established Bradford-based workwear supplier Workwear Crew, will cycle from Lands' End to John O'Groats, starting the eight-day challenge at Lands' End on August 1.

Mr Anderton, 37, who lives in Beechcliffe, has been supported by the "Andysmanclub" community group. This offers a safe environment for men to come together to talk about issues and problems they face.

Funds raised by his cycle will be split between this group and CentrePoint, a youth homelessness charity which has a base in Bradford.

Mr Anderton explained: “With the single biggest killer of men aged under 45 being suicide, and having suffered various personal problems in the last year, I turned to Andysmanclub.

"I'd struggled to find adequate support from the NHS, and the stigma surrounding masculinity and men made this even more difficult.

"It's perceived that men should just 'get on with it'.

"I attended the Hebden Bridge and Halifax Andysmanclub groups and encountered men from various backgrounds, talking openly about how they felt.

"Due to this support I've now been able to explain and discuss issues with my family and friends, have made some great new friends and am now back in work.

“Since starting with Workwear Crew myself and managing director Ranjit Rai have discussed how we can further assist local organisations.

"With my involvement in Andysmanclub and, with us being on an industrial estate that's mainly visited by male-dominated professionals such as plumbers, electricians and joiners we felt that the link would be ideal."

Workwear Crew has selected Andysmanclub as its charity of the year. The business is distributing leaflets across the Bradford area which not only promote its own services but feature the Andysmanclub logo, website and the #itsokaytotalk motto.

Luke Ambler, founder of Andysmanclub, is due to officially open Workwear Crew at its base in Thornton Road Industrial Estate tomorrow. (July 18)

People can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/1000milescycle to support Mr Anderton's fundraising and awareness raising.