A young and inexperienced cyclist has cycled from his adopted home in Holland back to his roots in Bolton to raise money for other people struggling with mental health issues.

Tom Brown, 22, from Over Hulton, has been living in Utrecht for the last two years but decided to return to his home town, setting himself a challenge, and raising money for a good cause on the way.

Tom raised money for Mind, a charity that helps those suffering with mental health problems, by cycling from Utrecht, Holland, through Belgium and France, and up England ending in his home town of Over Hulton, Bolton.

He said he made the 850 kilometre trip to raise awareness of supporting young people and their mental health during a very difficult time for many with coronavirus, and the increasing detrimental effect the internet can have on young people’s mental health.

The Bolton News:

Tom had been working with Nike in Utrecht for two years as part of his Fashion business and management course at Manchester Metropolitan University, but lost his job due to the coronavirus.

Tom said: “I’d been struggling myself for a while with some mental health issues but I’d been seeing more and more people struggling online for a while.

“People are stuck inside and trapped in their room but still so connected which is creating a lot of problems, especially for younger people.

“I decided to try and make a point and do something good with my time coming to an end in the Netherlands.”

The Bolton News:

Tom set off on July 27 and cycled over 150 kilometres a day to return back to Over Hulton on August 1.

“There is a huge cycling culture in Holland which I got really in to in the last couple of months so it was easier to cycle through there which became a lot harder in England.

“It was a bit mental, it’s a battle being on a bike for up to nine hours a day, but it was all for a good cause.

“There’s a lot out there saying to keep physically healthy but a lot of people a struggling mentally, including young people.

“That’s why I wanted to do this and make my Youtube channel, to help those who have grown up with the internet, who may be struggling in silence, know that there are people and charities out there that can help.”