A man from Carlisle is currently undertaking the journey of a lifetime, as he cycles to Istanbul to raise money for a mental health charity. 

Joshua Morrison set off from the border city on Friday May 3 and arrived in Dunkirk, France, via ferry on May 4. 

The fitness enthusiast is raising money for MIND, a mental health charity which offers information and advice to people with mental health problems. 

As mental health awareness week draws to a close, Joshua is doing his part to ensure that the national charity gets the support it needs and deserves. 

He said: "I have suffered with mental health issues for a long time. In 2022 I was diagnosed with PTSD. There have been times when I haven’t even been able to leave my bed or my house. Laying on a mattress on floorboards of a one bed flat, too crippled mentally to go to the shops.

"Every one of us struggles. I know there are millions out there every single day struggling with their mental health. MIND was the obvious choice. I wanted to show people you can do anything in spite of the problems you are having now, they don’t define you."

Joshua was inspired by a man cycling to Australia and, having walked 100 miles along Hadrian's Wall last year and been a regular at the gym for 10 years now, he feels ready to take on the mammoth challenge, and hopes to finish in late July. 

Having already reached Italy after cycling through France and Switzerland, the 26-year-old will travel through Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, before reaching his final destination of Turkey. 

However, he isn't too focused on sight seeing, and is taking each day as it comes, as he continues his incredible journey. 

Joshua added: "On my £80 Carrera mountain bike, with only the essential survival gear strapped to my bike, I am driven by the empathy and inspiration that comes from knowing that every pedal stroke can make a difference."

He is aiming to raise £1000 via his JustGiving page and you can donate here.