Superstar Chloe finishes epic Leeds to London walk and smashes £10,000 fundraising goal for Mind

At 18 years old, Chloe is making a difference in a big way, and is totally committed to helping others be more open about mental health.

She’s blogged about her own struggles, and her friends and teachers at Rossett School have really got behind her efforts, as has the town as a whole. Chloe finished her 10-day walking challenge just how she started - with a smile on her face, and with supporters by her side.

She was greeted with flowers and a warm welcome at Mind’s national headquarters. Walking with her dad and friend Karolina Gasiorowska, Chloe said she didn’t expect the fundraiser to take so many overwhelming and unexpected turns along the way - a call from BBC Breakfast asking her to appear on the show and talk about mental health was just one of them.

Chloe said: “It’s been a challenge both mentally and physically, but if raising awareness helps just one person, it’s been worth it. And I’ve been really overwhelmed by the support I’ve had, I’m so grateful.”

With donations still coming in, Chloe has already raised more than £10,200 - making her one of Mind’s top fundraisers nationally, and well exceeding her ambitious

target.

As a player for Harrogate Town Ladies, Chloe has also been overwhelmed by the club’s backing - showing great support with fundraising and publicity for the walk.

And her challenge has even been attracting tweets and messages of support from the likes of Dame Kelly Holmes and TV presenter Davina McCall.

Chloe said the toughest part was the second day of her walk, when she started to doubt she could do it - but conquer it she did, and the sea of support from back home really kept her fuelled to cross the finishing line.

Explaining why mental health awareness is so important, Chloe said: “Everyone is so accepting of other body parts breaking down, but with mental health people don’t always know how to respond to it, or don’t want to know.

“So many people are going through it - I don’t think many realise just how many people suffer with it.”

Chloe is committed to continuing her campaign work and awareness-raising efforts.

How you can support Chloe

There is still time to support chloe, and back her incredible fundraising efforts for mind. Visit her JustGiving page to add to the total: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chloe-bellerby With donations still flooding in, Chloe is determined to continue her awareness-raising work, and is looking into giving talks about mental health to help others.