He attempted to take his own life eight years ago
Allen Stokes has set out on a huge fundraiser challenge after attempting to take his own life(Image: Allen Stokes)
A dad, his bike and trailer will be led through the Mersey Tunnel by a police escort as part of his fundraiser to support people suffering from PTSD. Allen Stokes, 55, is cycling across the UK to raise money for Petits Pas, an organisation he founded to help those struggling with the mental health condition.
Allen, known as Tiny, from Whiston, attempted to take his own life in 2018 after his mental health plummeted following years of battling PTSD. He told the ECHO how he’d had a “pretty tough” childhood and joined the French Foreign Legion in 1989. He served time in Iraq, before leaving the military in 1991, when he then suffered “traumas” for 30 years.
He said: “My grandad served in the military in WWII. My parents never wanted me to join. My dad told me he refused to bury his oldest son, he couldn’t handle it and after coming home on leave I just couldn’t go back, so I left the forces.”
After leaving the military Tiny says he struggled to access help or treatment and at one point he was told he was schizophrenic. He said: “I couldn’t even walk into a supermarket when I first came back from Iraq, it led to me attempting to take my own life eight years ago. I was found unconscious.”
Following his recovery Tiny did a fundraiser to raise money for charities that support people suffering from PTSD. He said: “We raised thousands, but when I completed it somebody said to me ‘why don’t we make a proper difference next time,’ ‘lets raise funds to create a PTSD therapy site that we can open for people.” He says that one idea “saved” his life.
He has now set off on his second journey, his Ride to Recovery, across the UK to raise money for Petits Pas, a community interest company (CIC) he has founded alongside his friends to offer support and therapy to people also battling mental health.
The bike and trailer Allen Stokes is travelling on across the UK(Image: Allen Stokes)
He started the journey in Dorset in September 2024 and will return to Merseyside this month, before heading up to Scotland.
As part of his journey Tiny has shared lots of videos on his Ride to Recovery Facebook page of him cycling across parts of the country, meeting new people and setting up camp in beautiful parts of the UK, while creating awareness of Petits Pas. You can follow his journey, here.
He said: “Petits Pas is a French phrase meaning small steps, it’s something I always remember my nan saying to me, she’d always say don’t run before you can walk and it’s true, you should always take small steps.
“Nobody will ever get cured of PTSD, but we can hopefully help people take small steps to be able to live with it. We’re hoping to use the fundraised money to buy some land and build a proper therapy retreat for people to come to. There will be art therapy, acting therapy, all different support groups for people to access help.”
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to.
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- Young Persons Advisory Service provides mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- British Red Cross offers a free and confidential coronavirus support line on 0808 196 3651 which offers callers the opportunity to speak to a friendly volunteer for a chat if they are lonely, worried or need practical support, 7 days a week from 10am to 6pm, or email supportline@redcross.org.uk
Elsewhere, the Jade L Roberts Project supports women and men in suicidal crisis in Merseyside. They also offer support for people suffering from mental health issues. You can contact them on 0151 245 5671.
When he reaches Merseyside in the coming weeks Mersey Tunnels Police have agreed to block one lane of the Queens Way Tunnel as he passes through.
He said: “This journey is so important. I need the help myself, it’s for my own treatment as well as supporting everyone else. I plan on living at the retreat.”
You can donate to the GoFundMe page for Petits Pas, here.
Mersey Tunnels Police confirmed an escort would be arranged to facilitate a charity bike ride through the tunnel.