A SUMMIT conquering adventurer has urged young people in Worcestershire to speak out about mental health issues.

Alex Staniforth climbed Worcester Beacon as part of a a 72-day challenge to climb the highest points in all of the UK's 100 counties and in doing so raised more than £22,000 for the mental health charity YoungMinds.

#ClimbTheUK, which involved him travelling more than 5,000 miles on foot, by bike and in a kayak, stretched Alex’s limits physically and mentally. He described the challenge as his ‘new Everest’.

Mr Staniforth has already attempted to reach the peak of Everest twice, only to be thwarted by a number of avalanches, the second of which killed three of his colleagues two years ago.

YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, is particularly close to Mr Staniforth's heart as he was diagnosed with epilepsy aged nine.

He also had to overcome a bad stammer, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, low self-confidence, bullying and low self-esteem and eating disorders which the condition triggered.

“Mental illness is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with – far more difficult than climbing Everest," he said.

"Everyone has their own mountain to climb and my big message over the last few months has been that if you’re suffering from mental health issues, please speak out, tell someone you trust, visit the Young Minds website and seek help – it’s not a sign of weakness.

"Talking about it is a sign of strength.”

To donate to Young Minds visit: justgiving.com/climbtheuk