Old Malvernian Nye Owen (9.13-18) is preparing to embark on an extraordinary cycling expedition ‘Cycling on Sertraline’ from Mid Wales to South Africa, combining personal challenge with a mission to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities.
Next month, Nye will set off from his home in Berriew, Powys, bound for the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Over an estimated 200 days, he plans to cycle more than 10,000 miles (16,000km) through 24 countries, crossing Europe and Africa before reaching the southernmost tip of the continent in June 2027.
Nye, who recently completed a Eurasian cycling journey that concluded in Kabul, Afghanistan, hopes to use the challenge to raise both money and awareness for three mental health charities. Along the way, he will share regular video updates on social media, speaking candidly about his own experiences with mental ill-health.
Diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder at the age of 19, Nye has spent the years since learning to manage his condition while continuing to pursue ambitious goals. Through this expedition, he hopes to encourage others facing similar challenges and demonstrate that mental illness does not have to define a person’s life or limit their aspirations.
Reflecting on his time at Malvern College, Nye said: “Although it has been more than eight years since I left school, it feels as if I was there yesterday. I look back at my time at Malvern as the happiest of my life and I have countless fond memories.”
The expedition has three key aims: to raise funds for mental health charities, to encourage open conversations about mental health, and to inspire others by showing that a diagnosis need not prevent someone from living a purposeful and adventurous life.
Nye’s challenge will raise money for three charities: Association Saint-Camille-de-Lellis; Mind; Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can visit his fundraising page to make a donation, here.
The Malvernian Society wishes Nye every success for his remarkable journey and looks forward to following his progress over the months ahead.
Follow him on Instagram @cyclingonsertraline.