As More Athletes Vocalize Mental Health, 45-Year-Old Skateboarding Enthusiast Moves Miles for Noble Cause

Skateboarding has gained a reputation for being one of the most extreme sports. Moreover, this finest form of recreation engages adults and kids alike. Boasting street style as well as vertical events, this sport has come a long way. With a multitude of aspiring skateboarders in every community, the art mainly revolves around a person’s individuality. No two skateboarders are similar, however, can still establish themselves with unique finesse. 

Disregarding all the limitations and warnings by the safety professionals, this fun sport has a good side too. Besides some people joining the hype for fun, some people are skateboarding for a better cause. There’s more to just the deck, the trucks, and the wheels.

Skateboarding for awareness, not for fun

Nick Harris, 45, has chosen the path of cognizance. The nobleman is skateboarding and traveling down to Plymouth from Ilfracombe on the north coast. Interestingly, the cause of his endeavor is even nobler. Men’s mental health didn’t invite much attention until this man took up a five-day challenge. The money raised from Nick’s skateboarding will go directly to a suicide prevention charity. Moreover, the funds raised will also be shared with a community group, envisioning to build a skatepark.

The Ivybridge man has some serious goals to achieve. He opted for route 27 of the National Cycle Network, which features valleys, estuaries, beaches, and a pleasant view of the Dartmoor as well. His journey is underway, however, he already covered 163 miles, which he calls an “epic journey”. He also added by saying,“ticks all the boxes of doing something worthwhile”. The sole reason of Nick to take off on this incredible journey was his mental health struggles. Six years of tough times let him plan for money raising event, after the harrowing death of professional skateboarder, Ben Raemers.

The Ben Raemers Foundation offers specialized suicide prevention training to skateboarders, skate teams, crews and managers.

Building the foundation of ‘a community hub’

Mr. Harris has been able to raise more than £1,000 to divide equally between the foundation and Skate South Devon CIC. Hence, the building of the skate park will be the work of the latter. Nick added, “We want to put a facility in Ivybridge which will support the community in the long-term, bring workshops and projects to the park.” The bigger cause isn’t this small. In fact, they’re building a community to cater to people’s mental health improvement.

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Young people and families can work together to make things within the safety of the park. The five-day challenge is about to draw its curtains on Sunday, therefore coinciding with Samaritan’s World Suicide Prevention Day.

Watch this Story:  “Not Until the First Time”: 10-Year-Old Canadian Prodigy Turns Heads in the Skateboarding World with Tony Hawks as her Mentor for X Games.