Man runs entire South West coast path in memory of friend who took his own life

Gary's aiming to raise £3 for every kilometre of his journey for each local branch of Mind Credit: ITV West Country

A runner is nearly at the end of his poignant challenge around the entire South West coast.

Gary Head is pounding 630 miles of the South West coastal path in memory of his friend who took his own life last year.

John Childs was one of Gary's best friends. He had bipolar disorder.

Gary is using this run to raise awareness and money to help others through their own struggles with mental health challenges.

After setting off from Minehead last month, he's hoping to finish his 630mile run in Poole this weekend.

John's sister Stacy also wants to get more men talking about their mental health issues. Credit: ITV West Country

John's sister Stacy is sharing some of the journey with Gary.

Gary is on the home stretch to the finish line in Poole Credit: ITV West Country

Gary started on May 11 at Minehead in Somerset and has been running almost every day since then. He's been around Cornwall, where he grew up, through Devon now into Dorset, where he now lives, to finish the challenge on Saturday in Poole.

So far he's raised nearly £5,000 for local branchesof the mental health charity Mind.