Mansfield Town fan walking 140 miles to Wrexham for mental health charities dressed as Deadpool

  • Peter Bearne reports from Mansfield


A Mansfield Town fan, whose teenage son died, is walking to the club's next game at Wrexham to support other families who've lost a loved one due to mental illness.

John Bell is walking the 140 miles in 7 days dressed as Deadpool.

His son Jake died when he as just 15. John found solace in walking, and set up a charity to help other bereaved families called Walking4Hope.

In an interview with ITV News Central, John said: "It takes you to the darkest place in your mind and I was having thoughts myself to not be here anymore, I wanted to be with my son.

"I had to find a way to live happily again"

He added: "Deadpool was my son's favourite character. Jake was a cheeky guy a loveable little rogue."

His route will take in several football grounds and finish at Wrexham, a club partly-owned by Ryan Reynolds, the actor who played Deadpool in the film.

To make it tougher, he's carrying a bath covered in rubber ducks - each representing someone who's died by suicide.

John Bell is fundraising for his charity Walking4Hope on gofundme.


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