Every day since the start of the month, Colin Burton, 61, has been doing 25 tours of Horden Welfare Park – which equates to five miles – in an effort to raise funds for the Andy’s Man Club hub in Horden.

The center, which opens February 7 at the Horden Community Welfare Club, will be the first in County Durham.

In just over five days, Colin raised £ 715 of his £ 1,000 goal and says he wanted to do so not only to “raise money for a great cause” but also as a way to lose weight.

The retired truck driver, who is also a board member of Horden Community Welfare FC, said: “I want to do something about this.

“When you read about it, a man commits suicide every two hours in the UK.

“If one person walks through the doors and speaks, we could save a life.”

The grandfather of four, who is married to Karen, 59, continued, “Mental health is over there. I think a lot of people are suffering.

“Don’t deny it. Please speak up, and it just might save lives.”

The Horden group will be led by Bob Thompson, who is also a host at Andy’s Man Club in Hartlepool.

The hub will be open from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday.

Neil Waine, Project Development Champion at Andy’s Man Club, said, “We’re really excited.

“The men of Durham need this, they need to go somewhere.

“We hope that from the Horden hub, we can develop a little more in the region. “

Neil, 48, also praised Colin for his support for the new hub in Horden.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Neil.

“His enthusiasm was immediately infectious and what he is doing so that we can open that up and support the men with their sanity in Horden and the surrounding area is just fantastic.

“I think it shows you that this is a topic that people care about and that people want to help people. Colin carries this torch.”