Joshua Knight

My own Journey

Thursday 16th May 2024

Hello, This year I have decided to take part in the DGR, partly because I now have my big boy bike. However, I discovered the DGR through my father in law who has been wanting to do the ride for a number of years. 

My own personaly motivation for doing this is the mental health side of things. I have my own up and down, topsy turvey journey with mental health.

I grew up in Foster Care from a young age, being from a single parent (below the poverty line) background, and being in and out of respite care from birth till 6, and then full time foster care 6-14. And then back into Care when I was 17. 

However, my first foray into anxiety/depression was when I was 17 and homeless. I was put into temporary accomodation by my local authority as they had a legal obligation to do so due to me being under the age of 18. However, there was no where to say what standard this had to be. I was housed in a halfway house used for people leaving prison who had been in on drug related offenses. Being in this environment while starting my second year of college was extremely difficult. I remember on a particular occasion two chaps stood in one of the hallways yelling at each other, upon seeing me they started yelling in my direction causing me to swiftly run into my room to hide away. This was truly terrifying. 

I ended up making it to University, but had to drop out in my second year due to poor mental health and spent the majority of the following year in bed, unable to muster the energy or courage to face the world outside. After this I decided to intern with a church for a year, here is where things started to really turn around for me. I was given so much love and support by those around me there, that after the year finished, I managed to return to University to finish my degree. I have since been fairly stable with my mental health. 

But I have been so fortunate that I have been surrounded by so many wonderful people, that in all the situations I have found myself in, there has always been support to prop me up, even in my darkest times. 

In the UK there are 11,000 16-18yr olds in the care of local authorities, all of whom have had some kind of adverse childhood experience which results in a much higher level of mental health problems than in the general population. And Care Leavers are 5 times more likely to attempt suicide in adulthood.(1) Pair this up with Suicide being the biggest killer in men under 40. This is a dangerous combination. 

In todays age where mental health has never been more in the spotlight than any other peiod in time, it is so important for us to band together, support one another, and do absolutely everything we can to raise money and awareness for mental health and the services that support mental health so that people don't have to suffer in silence! 



1. neglected-minds.pdf (barnardos.org.uk)

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Saturday 23rd Mar 2024 On Sunday the 19th of May 2024, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.