An outdoor coach has set himself a 24-hour endurance challenge that will see him circumnavigate the Isle of Man by sea.

Kim Tastagh, from Patrick, will kayak his way solo around the island’s coast in aid of Isle Listen - a Manx charity that provides mental health support for children and young adults.

The Adventurous Experiences coach plans to set off early next week. However, this depends on the weather conditions.

He said: ’It’s not about the distance. I’ll be concentrating on the 24 hours.

’I’ll set off in the mid-east of the island and head north.’

It is because of personal experiences with mental health and seeing family members and friends battle with it that Kim felt motivated to take on the arduous task, he told the Manx Independent.

’Isle Listen do great work with younger people especially, but all ages. They have a different approach and try to educate people on how to help others and how to talk about it,’ he said.

’I wanted to create a challenge that would be mentally and physically hard - more than an endurance event. I wanted it to resemble a mental health challenge itself to raise awareness around it.’

Kim said it took some time to realise and accept that he was struggling with his mental health. ’There was a bit of pride in the way to admit I was struggling. I felt embarrassed,’ he continued.

’I thought: "This isn’t going to happen to me", but that’s not the case. It can happen to anyone.’

He now wants to help improve exposure of the issue to help people deal with it more easily.

’The more people talk about the situation and where their head’s at would help people to come to grips with it sooner and not be embarrassed about it,’ said Kim.

On his journey he will have essentials such as a radio, food, a phone and a spare paddle with someone being on hand to paddle out to him when he needs something.

He has already raised nearly £500 towards the cause.

Outdoor centre Adventurous Experiences, car dealership company Mylchreests, fitness centre Fusion Barbell, and lifestyle brand I Choose Life are supporting him too.

To donate or find out more about Kim’s 24-hour challenge, search: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kim-tastagh?