British Skater's 2,414 km journey from Brighton to Tangier for mental health awareness
21-year-old British national Sam Allison has embarked on an extraordinary journey to skateboard 2,414 kilometers from Brighton, England, to Tangier, Morocco. His goal is to raise funds for the Ben Raemers Foundation, which supports mental health within the skateboarding community.
Allison told the BBC that he felt compelled to support the charity after skateboarding helped him cope with his own mental health struggles.
«I did not realize how much it could impact your life until my own negative experience», he said. «Ever since then, I have had it in the back of my mind to raise awareness for mental health [in the skating community]».
Allison, who is already experiencing foot pain, plans to skate roughly 48.2 kilometers a day for 55 days. He's carrying all his essentials in a large backpack—including clothes, cooking gear, a sleeping bag, a tent, and spare skateboard wheels.
His friend Lucas Perrin will accompany him by bicycle for parts of the journey, helping to keep his spirits up, ensure he stays hydrated, and make sure he doesn't get lost.
Allison said that since announcing the challenge, people have started reaching out to him in support. He set off last Wednesday from Brighton toward Newhaven, where he planned to take a ferry to France, joined by a group of fellow skaters.
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