My son says I'm mad. He joked I will probably have a heart attack trying to complete the 2,000 Burpees in June Challenge, starting next Tuesday (June 1)

This is my 17-year-old lad Albie speaking, sitting opposite while we are enjoying dinner together, smiling, full of life, taking the Mickey. I smiled inwardly, and gently explained why I'm putting myself through this for the Samaritans but have to admit being shocked when he asked: "What is the Samaritans?'

He genuinely did not know, and it appears a great many of his similar aged pals would not either. This is an age group that may not know who to go to if they wanted to talk to someone about issues they were dealing with internally.

Even before learning his contemporaries might not be aware of the Samaritans, I had already decided to accept the 2,000 Burpees in June Challenge after choking up while updating an article abut the person's body being recovered from the river Orwell last week. It was already sad to report a male had died, but it was a few hours later when the police confirmed it was a 17-year-old boy when it really got to me, as it probably did most parents.

Unusually as something of a hardened journalist, it got to me. I could not help but think as I typed through the tears about that lad, his parents, his other family and friends.

What had pushed him to such a drastic and tragic action? Had he tried to seek help? And, following my son's comment, was he aware of where he could go for help, support and a non-judgmental ear, such as the Samaritans?

This came in a week when a widow spoke at an inquest about how her kind and caring husband found he could not cope due to the pandemic restriction and came off the Orwell Bridge. Heartbreaking.

This is not a new subject to me, and many others, but I brooded on this latest tragedy and when I saw the Samaritans promoting their 2,000 Burpees in June Challenge I quickly talked myself into, what I know will be a tough challenge for me these days.

Not that long ago it would have been a doddle, but I accept by battered body is not what it was. So, with that in mind, instead of banging out the requisite minimum 67 a day for all 30 days in one go, I will be doing little and often during each day, throwing a few press up in among them to complete what are known as 'full b*st*rds'.

My initial fundraising target is £200, but ideally I would like to get to £2,000. Possibly just as important is getting the