By Adam Dutton via SWNS
Too Hot To Handle star Sophie Stonehouse is embarking on a journey across Britain with her boyfriend as he attempts to ride 273 miles – on a UNICYCLE.
The reality TV and social media star is accompanying her partner Izak Lewis, 29, who is due to complete his epic charity ride on one wheel this Saturday (12/10).
Izak set off on his journey from Shoreham by Sea, West SusseToo Hot To Handle star Sophie Stonehouse is embarking on a journey across Britain with her boyfriend as he attempts to ride 273 miles – on a UNICYCLE.x, to Queensbury, West Yorks., on September 10 in memory of his late dad.
His father had planned a similar ride before taking his own life in 2014 and Izak is now finishing what he started while raising funds for a suicide prevention charity.
Izak has been riding 20 miles a day on the unicycle while girlfriend Sophie has been cycling, driving and camping alongside him as the pair travel up the UK.
The couple, from Manchester, have even brought their dog, Sprout, along for the ride who’s been traveling in Sophie’s bike basket.
Sophie, 24, who appeared on the fourth series of the Netflix reality dating show, said: “I’m obviously very proud of him.
“I wouldn’t have committed to put everything on hold to do this with him if I wasn’t.
“Izak has really wanted to complete this unicycle ride in memory of his dad.
“This has been a real journey for Izak. I’m a woman and I stand for women’s rights but there is so much out there already for women in terms of support.
“I’ve got male friends and a brother and a dad. There’s a stigma around men being manly and not crying and I think it’s really sad, when you look at the statistics and the amount of male suicides there are.
“It’s not spoken about enough.”
Izak’s dad Patrick Lewis had planned to complete his own mammoth unicycle ride from Queensbury – where he was from – to London.
Ten years later, Izak is honoring his original intention by doing the journey in reverse so they can take Patrick’s ashes with them and bring them home.
He is also raising funds for the male suicide prevention charity Tough to Talk.
But Izak and Sophie’s journey up the UK has not been without its challenges along the way.
Torrential downpours and Amber weather warnings meant many campsites they were booked into were forced to shut earlier in the year than planned.
They have been sleeping in freezing temperatures, and also suffered a severe setback along the way when a van crashed into their back-up vehicle, taking out Izak’s unicycle, which has since been kindly replaced by sponsors.
Sophie added: “Tough to Talk is a great charity and the kind of thing that might have helped Patrick.
“Men’s mental health isn’t just about men, it’s about the relationships between men and women.
“I’d really love to raise as much money and awareness as we can through this unicycle ride and I hope the public supports us on our way.”
Izak has been able to ride a unicycle since he was a child having been taught to ride one by his late father, for whom it was something of a party trick.
He said his dad had a big personality and had a lot of fun as a dad, always entertaining his children and making things.
Izak added: “If anything broke, he knew how to fix it. I wouldn’t exactly say he was a big kid but I had a fun childhood.
“We’d ride motorbikes, he used to bring me and my sister mobility scooters so we could ride around. We always did cool stuff.
“For the last couple of years, I’ve been thinking I needed to do this ride in his memory. You don’t know what’s round the corner.
“Tough to Talk is a brilliant charity. They are great guys who run it. A lot of men need to talk more. I have just started to do it.
“It is good to talk. If you don’t, you bottle up your emotions and just end up really struggling.”
Steve Whittle, founder of Tough to Talk, said: “I am deeply grateful and profoundly inspired by Izak’s unicycle challenge, supported by his incredible partner Sophie.
“Their unwavering commitment shines a powerful light on the urgent need for male suicide prevention.
“Together, they are not only raising vital funds but also breaking the silence that surrounds men’s mental health.
“Their dedication is a beacon of hope, driving our mission forward and reminding us all of the impact each of us can have in saving lives.
“Every penny raised for Tough To Talk directly fuels our mission to reduce male suicide by delivering vital content and training.”
