AN ULTRA-athlete, campaigner and Made in Chelsea star is coming to Salisbury as part of a marathon challenge designed to test mental and physical fitness.

Josh Patterson who starred in the Made in Chelsea series is undertaking a record-breaking challenge called Run 4 I Million which started on February 27 and requires him to run 76 marathons in 76 consecutive days. In between the races, he spends his time in a camper van resting and recuperating while en route to the next location.

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He said: “I really want to try to help as many people as I can. I’m raising money for the Samaritans, it is an amazing charity. It’s available in every one of the 76 cities that I am running in.

“I want to change how people feel about mental health – how people can live with it, and how people perceive it. “

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Josh is already the holder of two world record titles – the first abled-bodied person to travel from John O’Groats to Lands End in a wheelchair completing the journey in just 19 days. He also completed four marathons in a 24-hour period across the four nations of the UK.

Josh is forthcoming about his own mental health issues.

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He said: “A lot of people have looked at me and seen how emotional I am, but when they see what I am doing, that is different. I am aware that many people are struggling with mental health conditions with the health system so stretched.

Josh empathises with each and every person who struggles and knows that he has been lucky to have a good support network and access to a therapist.

“I think the most important thing is you have to ensure with any challenge is the recharge, not just the planning. A real priority is soft tissue therapy and physio.

“I try to run 5 times a week and remain as niggle free as much as possible. I am also in the gym for strength work and isolating muscle groups.”

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Physical training and fitness need to be at peak levels, but mental fitness is also important.

Josh said: “To be honest, the last couple of days, my back is hurting, and it is going to be a mental battle. “

Josh is running in Newcastle on Tuesday, March 14 and Sunderland on Wednesday, March 15 and running in Durham on Thursday, March 16. He visits Salisbury as part of the challenge on Saturday, April 29.

He added: “Most importantly, is for people to not give up on themselves. Giving up is just not an option.”

For more information or to support his challenge, go to his Just Giving page.