A HATHERLEIGH resident will be embarking on his third charity cycle ride to promote mental health awareness.

Graeme Willgress, who has suffered periods of mental illness in his life, is planning to ride the 100 Cols Tour in France, a 2,000 mile route climbing 100 mountain passes in all of France's alpine areas including the Pyrenees and the Alps.

The route covers more than 66 kilometres of vertical height gain and is described as 'possibly the hardest and most beautiful route in the world' by its Dutch creators.

In 2011, Graeme cycled the entire 4,000 UK coastline and last year he cycled more than 2,200 miles from Lands End to the Shetland Isles via Ireland's rugged west coast and the Outer Hebrides.

He said the purpose of these journeys was to promote better mental health by talking openly to the people he meets.

'I hope that sharing experiences and knowledge of my mental health issues will help in the fight to reduce the stigma still associated with mental health conditions,' he said.

His journeys to date have raised more than £4,500 for the charities Sustrans and Mind.

To support Graeme go to http://www.gofundme.com/21d2eo">www.gofundme.com/21d2eo or call him on 01837 810697.