Friends cycle 1,000 miles in builder's memory

When Dick Cashmore lost his life in 2020 following a long mental health battle, his friends wanted to make sure other men in the construction industry did not suffer in silence.

In his memory, the group of six from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, completed a gruelling 1,000-mile bike ride in 11 days from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall.

His family and friends have also established the Dick Cashmore Legacy Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of mental health in construction and funds for the charity Mind.

The six riders, "Stem, Moggy, Connor, Pete, Si and Frank", initially set themselves a fundraising target of £16,000, but have since raised more than £20,000.

Speaking as the group passed through Bromsgrove, Connor Franklin, a friend and former colleague of Cashmore, said he believed the culture of the construction industry could make it difficult for men to discuss their feelings.

"It's the stigma. It's one of those things where men are men and it's a manly job to do, so you don't speak about feelings, you get on with what's in front of you," he said.

"But then it's hard when you're feeling down, so it's nice to know that we have created such a good friendship group around us that we feel we can do it, so spreading that is important."

Cashmore's nephew, Sam Knock, who helped organise the challenge, said the ride had "really brought people together".

"He was just a proper bloke, he was a builder by trade, known by everyone in the community," he said.

"Seeing everyone come out who knew him and thought something of him, it's just a fantastic thing to see really."

He added that men did not typically come forward to discuss their mental health and said the foundation's aim was "to get the conversation going".

National charity Band of Builders also encourages tradespeople to discuss their mental health through its Big Brew campaign.

Kelly Taylor, operations and safeguarding lead at Band of Builders, said about two construction workers took their own lives every day in the UK.

The National Federation of Builders said late payments, insecure work, the physical toll of construction and rising business costs could contribute to worsening mental health.

Its representative, Rico Wojtulewicz, said organisations across the industry were providing support, but added "change is needed".

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