Jason’s 1000 Mile Cycle for Mental Health

On 16 May, Jason Eacott from Edmundson Electrical will begin an extraordinary endurance challenge of cycling 1000 Miles in just 14 days.

In 2007, Jason went to the doctor after a period of sickness and unexplained weight loss. Jason’s life changed forever when he was told he had Type 1 Diabetes, requiring lifelong medication and careful management of his condition.

Years later, during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Jason faced another significant challenge. The isolation, pressure, and higher risk of mortality due to his Type 1 Diabetes had a profound impact on his mental health. The stress of this saw him feeling unable to cope, so he turned to the EIC for support. Counselling from the EIC helped Jason turn things around and rebuild his mental wellbeing.

Now, Jason is turning his experience into something powerful by undertaking an intense 14-day cycling challenge to raise funds for the Electrical Industries Charity and Diabetes UK. The challenge is a test of his physical endurance and serves as a message to others in similar situations to never give up.

“I wanted to inspire people with Diabetes to show that anything is possible with the right mindset”, says Jason. “I also wanted to raise money for Diabetes and the EIC as they have both helped me personally.”

Although the physical challenge is immense, Jason says the toughest part of the cycle will be the mental challenge.

“It will be hard balancing my sugars and all of the climbs, but by far the biggest challenge is the mental side, knowing that I have to be on the bike for fourteen days straight without any breaks. The aches, pains and sores only get worse the longer you are on the bike,” he says.

Despite this, Jason encourages anyone who is thinking of undertaking a similar challenge to “go for it!”

“Don’t let anything stop you. Any challenge is going to be tough, but it’s 90% in your head,” Jason adds.

Jason would like to thank his wife, “for putting up with me when I am doing endless amounts of training”, as well as his employer, Edmundson Electrical for sponsoring his challenge.

Jason’s 1000-mile cycle will begin on 16 May and will finish on 26 May.

If you’re able, show Jason some love and support by donating here.