Formerly bedbound Brixton cyclist rides 12,000km across Africa for mental health charities
South London cyclist Henry Ellis is undertaking a 12,000km solo journey across Africa to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities, combining extreme endurance with a powerful personal story …
Black News 
South London cyclist Henry Ellis is undertaking a 12,000km solo journey across Africa to raise funds and awareness for mental health charities, combining extreme endurance with a powerful personal story of recovery.
Ellis has already cycled more than 7,000km from London to Dakar, Senegal – the westernmost point of mainland Africa – as part of a wider journey that began in the UK.
He first rode 4,500km from London to Agadir, Morocco, and is now continuing south from Agadir to Cape Agulhas, South Africa – a second leg he is dedicating to charity.
Cycling solo and carrying all essential equipment, Ellis is crossing deserts, savannahs, and remote rural regions with limited infrastructure, documenting the journey through daily video content and social media under the handle @Anotherbloodycyclist.
“I wanted to take on something genuinely difficult – to push myself while creating real impact for others,” he said.
The challenge is deeply personal.
“In 2023, my life turned upside down. I was diagnosed with post-infective fatigue syndrome and had to stop working. It was one of the hardest periods of my life.
The illness left me physically depleted, struggling to get out of bed, but the impact on my mental health was what frightened me most. I know how lucky I was to have support around me – and I want to help others access that same support.”
The charity-focused leg began on 2 March 2026. Since then, Ellis has cycled nearly 3,000km across the Sahara Desert, raising nearly £6,000 and growing his social media following from zero to over c.6,000 people, demonstrating strong early momentum and engagement.
As part of the expedition, Ellis plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, integrating the iconic ascent into the journey to reignite fundraising momentum and expand the campaign’s reach.
Funds raised will support the national mental health charity Mind and Network for Africa, two organisations working to improve access to mental health support both in the UK and across African communities.
Mind provides essential services, advice, and advocacy for people experiencing mental health challenges, while Network for Africa partners with trusted local organisations in sub-Saharan Africa to provide mental health care and livelihoods support to survivors of war, genocide, and extreme poverty.
Ian O’Reilly, Associate Director of Public Fundraising at Mind, said:
“We are incredibly grateful to Ellis for choosing to support Mind through undertaking a 12,000km solo journey across Africa. This is no easy feat and we wish him well.
“Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support.
This includes services such as the Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support community for adults, Side by Side, so we can be there for as many people who need us as possible.
“So, a heartfelt thank you to Ellis for the difference he will make”.
The journey is expected to continue until at least Christmas 2026, with the goal of engaging a global audience and demonstrating how personal challenges can be transformed into meaningful action.
- Donations can be made at: https://gvwhl.com/ACM48
