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20 Miles for 20 Lives

By Megan LESLIE-MILLER

Help me reach my goal of £750

I'm fundraising for Rethink Mental Illness!

20 Miles for 20 Lives
In memory of my Dad, Ian Leslie-Miller. In support of mental health awareness and world suicide prevention day.
In January 2024, I lost my Dad to suicide.
He was an incredible photographer and artist, and he had a way of seeing the world that I will never forget. But he struggled with his mental health for a very long time.
Losing my Dad made me realise how important early intervention, open and honest conversations, and fast access to support are for those who struggle.
And that's why I will be walking 20 MILES FOR 20 LIVES.
On 19 September 2026, what would have been my Dad's 59th birthday, I will be walking 20 miles alone and in silence to raise money for Rethink Mental Illness and to raise awareness around world suicide prevention day.

The 20 miles represent the approximately 20 people who die by suicide across the UK each day.
I will be walking alone and in silence because I want it to represent the journey that many people experiencing poor mental health can find themselves on — a journey that can feel incredibly lonely, even when there are people around them. A journey that can feel never-ending, particularly when the help you need can feel out of reach.

Rethink Mental Illness supports people severely affected by mental illness through practical support, advice, community services and peer support, while campaigning for better mental-health care and greater understanding. Their work also includes support with providing housing, employment and advice for those affected by mental illness.

In 2024, more than 7,000 suicide deaths were registered across the UK. Around three-quarters were men. In England alone, 74% of registered suicide deaths in 2024 were male, with the highest number of deaths occurring among men aged 45–64.
The fact that men are so disproportionately affected is something I feel particularly strongly about.
We need to make it easier for men to speak out when they are struggling and to de-stigmatise mental health. I want to help people feel empowered to speak out when they are struggling, and to reach out when a loved one may be struggling too.
It starts with a conversation and could end with a life saved. No one should struggle silently. No one should struggle alone.
We need to be able to say "I'm not okay" without embarrassment.
We need to be able to ask for help without feeling like we've failed.
And we need to actively ask others how they really are, and be available to listen to the answer.
Talking about suicide does not "put the idea into someone's head". Creating safe opportunities to talk can help people feel less alone and make it easier to find support.
And if someone tells you they're struggling, take them seriously.
I am incredibly grateful for any donation people may be able to give. But if you can't donate, that's absolutely fine.
Please just take the message with you.
Reach out to your friends, colleagues, family, neighbours, clients — whoever is around you — and check in.
Never stop asking "Are you really okay?"
Not just a passing "you alright?" — actually ask.
And if you sense that something isn't right, ask again.
You don't need to have the perfect answer. Sometimes being willing to sit with someone and hear how they feel is enough to start a conversation.
We can't always understand what another person is going through, but we can acknowledge that their feelings are real and that they deserve to be heard.
NEVER be embarrassed to ask for help.
If this fundraiser helps even one person access support, helps one person feel less alone, or encourages one person to ask for help when they otherwise wouldn't have, then those 20 miles will have meant something.
Behind every statistic is a person.
A friend. A parent. A child. A sibling. A partner. A loved one.
And behind every person are people left behind.
Talk about suicide.
If you are able to donate, every contribution will help support Rethink and the incredible work they do to support people experiencing mental-health difficulties.
If you can't donate, please consider sharing this page, checking in with someone you care about, or simply starting a conversation.
For Dad.
Big love and rave on. ❤️

Please support my Fundraising!

Raised

£1,285 + £193 GiftAid

My Goal

£750

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50% of Fundraising Target

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My Updates

Thank you!!

Friday 11th Sep
Thank you so much to every single person who has donated, shared or engaged with my page. Its been so amazing to read your kind words of support. I never imagined I would be able to raise so much already. We've nearly hit £900 and there is still a week to go! Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single one of you!

15 mile practice walk

Friday 11th Sep
Yesterday I completed a 15 mile walk in preparation of next weeks full 20 miles! 15.5 miles in 4 hours 48 mins. The weather was kind to me and I avoided being rained on! I walked around the local area, only getting lost twice and jumping 1 gate that I'm not convinced I was supposed to go over...but no angry farmers chased me off so I will call that a win! I certainly learnt a few lessons for next week, mainly that I definitely need to stop and take a break and lots more snacks! I arrived home with very sore legs and feet but a pizza for dinner certainly helped! My legs are not moving as quick as normal today, no matter how hard i try. Early night tonight to rest and recover! Bring on next week 💪

Thank you to my Sponsors

£109.25

K

You got it

£33.83

Ben Frost

Good luck on your walk - such an important cause to raise for

£33.83

Nicky

Love you always brave girl xxx

£33.83

Sophie Graham

£33.83

Cokes

Well done Miss M!

£30

Marie Moore

You are beautiful inside and out xxx

£28.44

Emma

£28.44

Rhio Broadway

Good luck ❤️

£28.44

Mark Redman

£28.44

Nimi

I am by your side silently holding space.

£28.44

Peter Melton

£28.44

Sarah Tennent

You’ve got this 💖

£28.44

Anonymous

£28.44

Lisa Bassett

£28.44

Pete Foster

Such a touching story and amazing cause. Proud of you Megan. Lots of love, Pete and Sol x

£28.44

Clare Teachman

My family has been touched by suicide and raising awareness is so important. Wishing you well for your walk in memory of your Dad. I met him with Tori back in the 90s.

£28.44

Laura & Gus

Well done Megan

£28.44

Christopher Bond

With Best Wishes- Big Daddy

£28.44

Milla And Kevin

Well done Megan!

£28.44

Karen Bassett

Hi Megan Such beautiful words and a wonderful tribute to your dad. He was as you say an extraordinary person, and a true revolutionary. Good luck for your walk. And what an amazing way to honour his memory.

£25

Evan Stanley

Good on you for doing this❤️

£25

Emma And John

Well done Meg!

£25

Simon Graham

Amazing effort for a great cause Megan x

£23.45

Emily Giles

This is an excellent cause, Megan. Have a mindful, contemplative and enjoyable walk on 19/09/26 X

£23.45

Tay

£23.45

Lucy Cowie

Well done! 🩷

£22.97

Penny

Brilliant cause that has unfortunately affected me this year, good on you Megan x

£22.97

Yasmin Holder

Good luck, I know you'll smash it :)

£22.97

Gill Gaywood

Dear Megan, wishing you all the very best for your walk. Thank you for sharing your story and raising awareness x

£20

Tracy Goodall

Much love, Tracy

£20

Joe Foye

£20

Looby

Well done Megs - a fantastic achievement and fundraising xx

£17.89

Zoe

Never met your Dad heard a lot about him and seen some of his fabulous photos, having Mental health and feeling so lonely is very close to home . You are remarkably strong Megan for doing this walk ❤️embrace it and i am certain your Dad will be watching over you . We Will be cheering you on lots of love xxx

£15

Natalie Quilter

Megan, thank you for sharing your story. This is something that is close to my heart and I know many others, so thank you so much for raising awareness and money - you are a true inspiration. Good luck xxx

£15

Rob

£15

Rob

£15

Stephanie Mchugh

Good luck Megan, such an incredible cause.

£12.25

Tracey Patterson

Good luck x

£12.25

Carina

Good luck Megan x

£12.25

Sebastian By

🖤

£12.25

Anonymous

£12.25

Andie

You are amazing good luck your dad would be so proud of you xxxx

£12.25

Charlotte Wilkins

Gooooooooooo Megan!!!!! Love you heaps! Super proud xxxxxxxxx

£12.25

Ruth

Hi Megan I used to go sea swimming with Tori. This is such a great cause, I wish you all the best for your walk xx

£12.25

Patricia Chinyoka

£12.01

Sharon Broadhurst

Hello, I know you don't know me, but I'm good friends of Francesca and Pete, and just wanted to donate to a good cause.

£10

Ted Nowell

£10

Tori Bond

Good luck with it Megs and hope you raise plenty of money xx

£10

Elouise Broadway

Do your Dad proud ❤️🤘

£10

Jessica Sopp

Well done Megan. Much love ❤️

£10

Annie

You won’t be on your own - Ian will be with you all the way - good luck my darling ❤️❤️

£10

Sam Welstead

Good luck Megan a great cause x

£10

Flora Adekola

Good luck Megan x

£10

Laura

Such a worthy cause so close to your heart. Will be thinking of you every mile ❤️

£10

Daniel Raven

Sorry a bit late, but hope you smashed it and raising money for a great cause 😁

£10

Sharon Healy

What a heartfelt post Megan. You don’t know me but I know your aunt Tori. Your dad would be incredibly proud of you. Best of luck. Sharon xx

£10

Caroline Brown

A beautiful cause and a wonderful tribute.❤️

£10

Irin Akter

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm so sorry for your loss. Wishing you strength for the walk and thank you for raising awareness of such an important cause. Best wishes, Irin

£10

Ruth Holden

Love you and that you're doing this, you're amazing x

£10

Ruth Holden

Think my first donation got denied bc I entered the wrong CVC woops!

£10

Lauren Marshall

Good luck Megan! 🥰 Hope it all goes well, I’m sure you’ll smash it! Lots of love from me and Paul xxxx ❤️