Tartan explorer quits global challenge to help out closer to home
● Tartan Explorer gives up global trek to help those in need in Scotland
A man dubbed the Tartan Explorer who planned to cycle across the globe to raise awareness of mental health issues has quit nine weeks into his trip after deciding that helping Scots is his priority.
Josh Quigley, who overcame his own battle with depression, was on the brink of death last year after he deliberately crashed his car into a barrier on the M8.
The 23 year-old, from Livingston, West Lothian, now wants to help others suffering from mental health issues.
Josh said: “I went searching for something that was right in front of me the whole time, For me, embarking on my trip around the world was not only to raise awareness for mental health, but to find myself. After nine weeks, and nine countries, I have successfully done that and I’m in a happier place.
“I need to be in Scotland to do what I want to do.”
After completing a 1,500mile cycle trip around Scotland in March, Josh decided to go one step further, and cycle around the world to tell people his story.
Josh, a former pupil at Deans Community High School, had planned to travel 50,000 miles, but his trip was cut short when he became homesick, and realised what really mattered in his life.
Josh said: “At first cycling across the globe seemed like a good idea but when I started it, I realised there were so many other things I could be doing to help others.
“Cycling for multiple hours a day isn’t really helping anybody, I want to be working with charities, schools, and other organisations, to tell people my story. One night when I was in Norway, close to Oslo, I just felt so homesick. I sat on a bench and just thought about everything. Now that I’ve helped myself, it’s time to help others.”
Josh was rushed to hospital at the start of 2015, after he crashed his car on the busy motorway at 80mph in a bid to take his own life.
But the catastrophe was a turning point, as he transformed his life and realised his experience could help others. Josh, who is hoping to become a mental health ambassador, said: “It’s amazing how different I feel now in comparison with how I did last year. For years I suffered from depression and mental health issues and I don’t know what caused it. Things got really intense and I decided that I was going to try and take my own life.
“After I survived that, I realised there must have been a reason why I was still here and my mindset changed completely. Now I think to myself it would have been such a shame if I had died at the age of 22.”
Throughout his 2,000-mile journey, Josh became interested in other world issues, as well as mental health. He began feeding homeless people and set up his own campaign, Feed the Homeless of the World, which raised £1,500 in just five days.
He added: “I received so many messages of support while I was on my travels which I am so thankful for, it’s just been amazing.
“I want to be in Scotland for my parents and my friends – the people who are proud of me. I also want to be here for the people I need to help, it’s my home.