Teenager tackles massive trek in memory of her brother

'Losing Ryan was a pain that my family and I will never be able to explain'

A Devon student whose family was left devastated by tragedy last year is preparing to embark on a huge test of endurance – a 1,000-mile charity walk and cycle ride from John o’Groats to Land’s End.

Skye Drew, a 17-year-old animal care student at Bicton College in East Devon, is raising money for the men’s mental health charity, Andys Man Club.

Last September, one of her three brothers. 27-year-old Ryan Gooding (below), took his own life. Skye, who lives at Rockbeare, near Exeter, explained: “Now that Ryan is no longer with us, I see it as a privilege to take on this End to End walk in his honour, and to raise awareness for men’s mental health and mental health in general.”

Skye, who has confronted her own mental health issues, has enlisted the support of mother Yvonne and sister Taryn to act as her back-up team for her two-month trek from Scotland to Cornwall. She will also be accompanied by her springer spaniel Nova.

The walk starts in early July, and Skye’s training programme is well underway. She is currently seeking sponsorship support from businesses to help facilitate her ambitious plans.

“Losing Ryan,” said Skye, “was a pain that my family and I will never be able to explain and it affected us all differently. Having autism, I deal with emotions very differently to other people. I don’t often cry when people die, I don’t find objects sentimental. My way of dealing with the grief is to make a difference and to try and save at least one life. One brother, one son, one dad, one friend.

“Andys Man Club was very close to Ryan’s heart. A keen boxer who found peace in the sport, he did a boxing match in aid of the charity. I decided to raise money for them in his name to let everyone know that it may not all be sunshine and roses but there will always be someone out there for you whether you know it or not. Just as he was always that person for everyone else.

“The 1,000 miles walk and cycle from John o’Groats to Land’s End is a huge challenge, but nothing will stop me if it means saving someone from the pain of living and saving a family from the pain of grief. My training programme is going well and I can’t wait to set off from John o’Groats on July the fifth.

“I’ve had my battles and I know how painful life has to get to try and end your life. I was always told to hold on to hope and to look for the bright side etc. That’s not the message I’m trying to give. It’s not all about hope and looking for the light, it’s tough, it’s horrible BUT the strength it takes to hold on to a burning rod is much more than it takes to let go.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not struggling. You are and I hear you, but it does mean that you have more strength than you realise and no matter what happens, you are allowed to feel any emotion you feel. You are allowed to ask for help and you are allowed to talk. There will always be someone who will listen.

“The End to End walk is something my mum and I talked about doing for a few years, but the timing was never quite right. Now, it feels like the right time—and for me, it’s become something much deeper. This walk represents my love for Ryan stretching from one end of the country to the other.”

Steve Doyle, South West Area Lead for Andys Man Club, said: “The incredible challenge that Skye is taking on this summer is inspiring for everyone involved in Andys Man Club and we are so very grateful to her and all of Ryan's family. The charity can only exist and grow through awareness being raised by amazing people such as Skye getting out there and spreading the word.

“We hope that her efforts are seen by people up and down the country and that they might inspire #THATONEMAN to walk through the doors of an Andys Man Club or speak to a friend or family member. On behalf of the charity I wish Skye all the very best for the challenge she has set herself and we can't wait to track her progress. Thank you Skye."

The trek route will take Skye through the John o’ Groats Trail, the Great Glen Way and the West Highland Way, followed by cycle paths and the West Highland Way.

She will continue on the Pennine Way and Trent Valley Way, passing through the Midlands and ending her journey along the South West Coast Path in Cornwall. Her aim is to reach her Land’s End destination on Tuesday September 2. She will cycle on days when the distance is 20 miles or more, to help with physical and mental endurance while staying true to the full route. Up to five rest days at strategic points to recover and recharge are also planned.

Skye is currently trying to secure a campervan through sponsorship to allow her and her family to travel along the route. “If this doesn’t work out,” she said, “Plan B is to secure sponsorship from hotels, B&Bs and similar accommodation along the way in exchange for promoting their businesses.

“Plan C would involve getting sponsorship from camping sites if needed or, as a last resort, Plan D is to sleep in the car, though this isn’t ideal. We are also reaching out to companies for sponsorship for safety gear, comfort items and other essentials.”

Skye has set up a JustGiving page with an initial £1,000 target for donations, and there will also be a bucket collection during the walk. People can read her story, find out how to donate and follow her walk progress in various ways:

On Instagram and TikTok search for end.to.end.walk

On Facebook search for Skye Drew.

Anyone interested in offering practical sponsorship can contact Skye’s mother, Yvonne Drew, on 07712 343639 or email von.parker@talktalk.net

Andys Man Club is a suicide prevention charity which was founded in 2016 after the death by suicide of Andy Roberts in Halifax, West Yorkshire. In the June of 2016 Andy's mother, Elaine, and brother-in-law, Luke Ambler, set up Andys Man Club - a free, safe, confidential, non-judgemental space for any man 18+ to go along and talk to other like minded men. As of 2025 there are over 280 groups throughout the UK. The groups meet 7-9pm every Monday (except Bank Holidays) and an average of 5,800 men attend every week.