A woman cycled 10 miles around London completely naked to raise money for mental health charity MIND.
Kerri Barnes felt compelled to do something after seeing the shocking statistics around mental health and after tragically losing a cousin to suicide but was struggling to come up with an idea.
While thinking of what she could do to raise cash, her housemate jokingly suggested she do a naked bike ride – and Kerri decided it was a great idea.
Now, a naked bike ride is a daunting prospect at the best of times, but Kerri also decided to take on the challenge in November. Rather you than me, mate.
Speaking to LADbible, Kerri said: “I really wanted to do something this year to shine a light on raising awareness of suicide prevention and to raise some money for MIND – because they’ve just experienced their biggest increase in calls, since the second lockdown began.
“Unfortunately, a very close relative made a few attempts on their life in the first lockdown and one of my cousins did kill herself about nine years ago.
“So, I wanted to do something and I thought I’d do something a bit ridiculous – then my housemate suggested the naked bike ride.”
As you can imagine, Kerri’s friends and family initially thought the plan was a bit bonkers – but as they got used to the idea, people have been very supportive.
“I put it out on social media and the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive,” Kerri added.
“I think because everybody seems to have suffered in some way with their mental health this year – I think it’s made people very empathetic towards mental health problems.”
In the run-up to the bike ride Kerri tried to get ready for the low temperatures by taking cold showers but it still wasn’t quite enough to prepare for just how chilly she got while out and about on Sunday.
Kerri added: “Bloody hell, it was cold!
“I had a right sense of humour failure crossing Waterloo bridge and getting hit by the wind. Still though, what an incredible day.“
Kerri enlisted the help of a couple of (clothed) friends to cycle around with her – and it’s fair to say she turned a few heads.
“It was a lot of fun,” Kerri said. “And the reaction from members of the public was brilliant. The roller skaters at Hyde Park came travelling with me for a bit, at Trafalgar Square people were rolling down car windows and cheering me on.
“At Downing Street, a police woman on horseback even threatened a motorcyclist with six points as he took his phone out to take a picture.”
Kerri has already raised just shy of £7,000 – but is still hopeful she can get a bit more.
