Walk for James – 900km for Men’s Mental Health

Hi, my name is Billy and I’m walking over 900km — from Glasgow to Amsterdam — in memory of my uncle James.

But this walk isn’t just about the distance. It’s about the journey — his and mine.

James wasn’t just my uncle. He was like a father to me. He made me feel safe when the world didn’t. He showed me what love looked like, even in chaos. When I was 13, James took his own life. And when he left, a part of me went with him.

After that, I was lost. I got caught up in violence, drugs, and eventually ended up in prison. I didn’t know how to cope, so I tried to numb it all. For years, I was broken and angry — and no one ever showed me how to talk about it.

But something deep inside me never gave up. I believe God had a reason for keeping me alive through all of it. Through faith, support, and a lot of hard lessons, I’ve been rebuilding my life — step by step.

Now I’m doing something I never imagined:

I’m walking to honour James.

To honour the pain I survived.

And to speak out for the men who are still suffering in silence.

I’m raising £10,000 for men’s mental health because the truth is — we’re losing too many good men. Not because they’re weak, but because they’ve been told they’re not allowed to feel. James never got the chance to speak about his pain. I want to make sure others do.

This walk is my way of giving something back. I’ll carry James’ photo the whole way. I’ll walk through Scotland, England, France, Belgium, and finish in Amsterdam. And I’ll carry the stories of other men with me — because no one should have to carry that weight alone.

This isn’t just a walk. It’s a promise.

That we’ll talk.

That we’ll walk.

That we’ll heal.

Together.

If you can donate — even £1 — or share this, you’re walking with me. Every step matters. Every voice matters. Every man matters.

For James. For every man. For all of us.

Thank you,

Billy Lafferty