A LOCAL charity that offers group counselling for men suffering complex and enduring poor mental health has raised more than double its fundraising target after a charity bike ride.

Heart Wood raised more than £1,500 through its “49-miler” event, which will be used to make its woodland sites more accessible, including by installing a compost loo and strengthening a bridge.

Eleven riders took to the roads on a route that stopped off at Kirkley Cycle Café.

“It was a lovely connection to stop at the café,” said founder Chip Ponsford. “We use the woods there for our Active Survival sessions, working specifically with men aged 18 to 25.”

Heart Wood is running training in its model of outdoor therapy for experienced counsellors this Autumn in order to meet demand in 2022.

Chip added: “There was a mental health crisis before the pandemic and people are suffering even more now. We were glad to support men through the lockdowns with an adapted service and we look forward to supporting more men next year.”

The charity is now considering making the event annual to include more riders and spread awareness of the charity.

Forty-nine is the age at which suicide is the biggest killer of men in the UK and the North East has one of the highest rates in the country.