'The kindness of people got me to the finish line'

A sheep farmer who walked 142 miles (229km) to raise awareness about mental health and available support said it was "an incredible journey".

Sam Stables, co-founder of We Are Farming Minds, said he met some wonderful people "who walked with me, we shared stories" on the five-day walk from Herefordshire. He arrived in London on Friday.

"The whole reason for this walk was - it was a message of hope. Hope that there are incredible support lines within the farming [community] to speak to," he said.

The fundraising walk, which received a £5,000 donation from Prince William, has so far raised nearly £50,000 for the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs, he added.

The prince is a patron of We are Farming Minds.

The charity raises mental health awareness in rural communities and says isolation, long hours and pressures experienced by farmers can cause anxiety and depression.

Stables said ahead of the walk: "There are some incredible charities and some amazing people to talk to if you are in that dark place."

He set off from Ross-on-Wye Market on Monday, aiming to walk about 30 miles (48km) a day.

The walk was also in partnership with the Farm Safety Foundation, also known as Yellow Wellies, and its 'Mind Your Head' campaign.

Stables said afterwards he met many people through the event, both from the farming community and people without farming backgrounds.

"It's been an incredibly humbling experience, it's really restored my faith in humanity. People and community is what this journey was all about," he said.

"There's some amazing people out there who want to support, who want to look after, sharing stories and knowing that it is OK to talk."

Stables said at times on the walk he felt like he had flu and his ankle was swollen, but he was energised when someone would ask "can I walk with you?"

"The kindness of people has got me to the finish line along with the most amazing support team around me. Honestly, I love them all to bits," he explained.

"It is thanks to all these people that has got me to that finish line at London."

The farmer was told about the Prince of Wales' donation during the walk and said it had been an "another incredible part of the journey".

Stables added he wanted to support the work of the young farmers' clubs and the next generation.

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