Teenager known by followers as The Hull Boy has overcome serious mental health challenges to take on inspirational charity feats.

Marcus was 12 when he became a carer for his dad after he was diagnosed with dementia. The youngster’s physical and mental health rapidly declined and he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and intrusive thoughts which dramatically impacted his life.

At 15 he was in “one of the darkest places”, and attempted suicide after spending months alone in his room with no contact with the outside world. 

Desperate to turn his life around, Marcus, now 17, started walking short distances at first, before building up distance and speed until he was jogging longer routes. 

Marcus recalled: “My mental health was at an all time low so I decided to run, not just for mental health but to raise awareness. Running pushed my body and mind and the feeling after a run was like nothing else.”

In April last year he challenged himself to run a mile a day and raised more than £8,000 for mental health charity Mind – who had not only helped him at his lowest point, but also his dad.  Wanting to push himself further, last September Marcus ran a marathon in London, raising a further £19,590 for the charity.

 On April 1st, he started his biggest challenge – a run from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Just under two months later, after 874 miles and £164,560 raised for Mind, he became the youngest person ever – and the first under 18 – to run the entire length of the UK. 

Marcus has documented his journey on social media in the hopes of inspiring others who are struggling with their mental health. He says:  “Life is brutal, sometimes you feel like you’re in a place you can’t get out of. But I promise you, every road may have speed bumps but you’ll get over them. Mental health is such a big thing, everyone is different but I find running helps mine.”

What the judges said: “Marcus is an extraordinary example of the power of the human spirit. He was as low as it is possible to go, but through sheer strength of character, turned not only his life around, but made a huge difference to so many other people.”