Mark remembers dad at walk

A Spalding man whose father took his own life has pledged to help those struggling with mental health by becoming an ambassador for a local group.

Mark Le Sage has joined local group Community Mind Matters to become a mental health ambassador.

He recently took part in a January walk around Spalding, one of many held throughout the country for a mental health charity. Mark’s dad Malcolm died in 1999.

“The walk went really well and there was a good turn out,” Mark said. “Red January is a nationwide movement that exists to empower everyone to move for their mental health during the winter, a time of year where as a nation we tend to be less active, experience low moods and increased depressive symptoms. The idea is to move every day during January, to beat the winter blues away.

“There’s no need to feel alone.”

Vanessa Browning, who set up the group, said: “Mark brings a wealth of experience to the group from both a professional and personal perspective, he’s been very supportive of the group since it’s inception and we are honoured to welcome him aboard.”