AN ambassador for a mental health group will complete a gruelling cycling challenge for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Florence Sharman, an ambassador for MQ Mental Health Charity will cycle for four hours on an exercise bike at Market Hall in Chipping Campden.

Ms Sharman has suffered from mental illness since she was 8 years old and is taking on the Dare to Swear Challenge.

She said: "I want to make a difference.

"I have suffered from mental illness from the age of just 8 years old.

"It has taken me ten long and hard years to be brave enough to speak out about my story and be proud that I have mental illness not ashamed.

"I'm delighted to be an MQ Ambassador I'm so excited to be taking on the Dare to Swear challenge and getting involved with this fabulous campaign .

"I want to help stop that stigma and help fund the amazing work MQ are doing and help find a cure for Mental health with MQ help.

"I'm so passionate about the work MQ are doing to help Transform Mental Health.

"I have set myself to do 4 hours solid on an exercise bike wearing a very striking outfit and some of the outfit will be made out of real flowers.

"The more people that know about the amazing work MQ are doing the better .

"Let's stop the stigma and fund those all important research projects to find a cure."

Ms Sharman is completing the challenge on Friday from 1pm until 5pm and on Monday appeared on ITV programme Lorraine, to talk about her effort.

Dare to Swear challenges are taking place throughout the country this May to raise money to help people with mental illnesses.

To find out more or to donate, go to https://dare-to-swear.everydayhero.com/uk/florence

To find out about the charity, go to, www.mqmentalhealth.org