HMS Collingwood events coordinator, who lost brother to suicide, to take on Thames Path Challenge for mental health charity

Maria Montague, events coordinator at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, will tackle a gruelling 100km Thames Path Challenge to raise funds for the Campaign Against Living Miserably – Calm – this September.

Joined by her partner Debbie, the pair will take on the feat across two days on September 10 and 11 to raise cash for those struggling or considering suicide.

While raising cash, Maria also wants to raise awareness of the Calm lifeline after the devastating loss of her much-loved brother, who took his own life at 23.

They charity particularly seeks to help men who struggle to ask for help when they need it.

More than 3,000 people are set to join the challenge, which starts at Putney Bridge in London before following the route upstream to Henley along the famous Towpath.

Maria said: ‘Even though life moves on, things are never the same for those left behind. Losing a loved one to suicide is absolutely heart-breaking and can still affect you after many years. If walking 100km and giving up a few hours of sleep can help spare another family experiencing what we have, then every step will be worth it.’

After signing up for the challenge, Maria and Debbie discovered the first day of the challenge coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, which make their efforts all the more relevant.

Maria and Debbie will be covering the 100km non-stop, walking for 26 hours without the overnight break offered to other competitors.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/team/Lifeisforliving