Tim Mckenna (Tim Cycles the Coast)

My name is Matt Sutton, and I am reaching out to you to help honour the memory of my dear friend, Tim McKenna. As many of you know, Tim courageously battled mental health challenges for many years, and it is with profound sadness that I share he took his own life in January. We are all heartbroken by his loss.

Tim was a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, dedicating countless hours to raising funds and increasing exposure for numerous mental health charities. His greatest passion was cycling, a love he nurtured from a young age. In recent years, Tim embarked on remarkable journeys: cycling around the coast of Great Britain, down the West Coast of America, from London to Istanbul, throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic Coast, and just last year, around Morocco. I had the privilege of seeing him off on all of these adventures. One thing that always astounded me was the sheer weight of his bike before a trip with his tent and belongings strapped to it! Tim himself was a big unit, and how he ever managed to get any

momentum, let alone up a hill is still beyond my comprehension.

One of the most memorable aspects of Tim’s travels was the way he connected with people. Through his captivating photographs and stories, he inspired many, even those he had never met. I’ve received numerous messages from individuals who cherished his updates, often contributing a few pounds so he could enjoy a cup of tea, a meal, or a warm bed when the weather turned harsh. The support and love for Tim was truly remarkable.

Beyond his adventures, Tim’s most cherished relationship was with his 17-year-old daughter, Amelia. Their bond was profound and filled with love. Tim often spoke of Amelia with immense pride, sharing stories of her achievements and the special moments they spent together. Whether it was sending her animal cards from his various trips just to check in, holidays when she was little, enjoying outings together like bowling, or simply sharing a joke or a quick hello on a text, their connection was undeniable. Amelia was the light of his life, and his love for her knew no bounds.

In honour of Tim’s legacy, I am raising funds to cover his funeral expenses and to provide support for his beloved daughter, Amelia. We are currently arranging a service and celebration of Tim’s life in the coming weeks and will share the details once confirmed.

If Tim’s photos, journeys, or stories have ever brought a smile to your face or inspired you in any way, I kindly ask you to consider donating to this worthy cause. Additionally, if you have any memories, pictures, or stories of how Tim inspired you, please feel free to share them with us. Your contributions and shared memories will help honour Tim’s memory and support the daughter he loved so dearly.

Thank you for reading this and any support you can provide will be most appreciated. Tim was a heroic man, and he will be deeply missed by us all..

Rest well, big man. May the wind now always be at your back. No more hills to climb.

xxx