Fifteen ex-Lancaster Royal Grammar School friends to run 24-hour relay for mental health awareness

The 15 Old Lancastrians will also be raising money for Papyrus, a charity for the prevention of young suicide.

To make the relay work during lockdown, the friends - all aged 20 and 21 and now living across the UK - will ensure that one of them is running at every minute of the day, including through the night, from 8pm today, Thursday, until 8pm on Friday.

Founded in Lancashire, Papyrus is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK, and in 2018 more than 1,800 young people took their own lives.

Papyrus provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HopelineUK.

Every £5 raised can help pay for a life-saving contact to HopelineUK.

One of the group, michael Padfield, said: "As young men we are the worst for talking about our feelings. Whilst raising money is important (so far we have raised almost £2,500), our aim is to break the stigma around mental health.

"To that end, on our Instagram page we have done a series of interviews with the lads talking very bravely and in depth about their own mental health.

"So far we have covered topics such as anxiety, depression, social media, and grief - and there is a lot more to come!

"We have been inundated with messages praising these lads for their courage in speaking so openly and we really feel that we are making a difference."

The friends have also been sent video endorsements by Lancaster MP Cat Smith and Morecambe FC legend Kevin Ellison.

Follow @onedayrelay on Instagram to find out more, or also see their Facebook page @onedayrelay

You can donate to their cause on Just Giving here