A BRADFORD man who suffers from depression is aiming to run 15 marathons in 2015 to raise money for a leading mental health charity.

Shane Nicholl, 25, has already completed four races - two marathons and two 'ultramarathons' - including the 75km 'Canalathon' from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge last month.

He is due to compete in the Huddersfield marathon on April 19, before tackling the London Marathon the following week, all in aid of Mind.

Mr Nicholl, a web developer who moved to Apperley Bridge in early 2014, said he had chosen the charity to help raise awareness of mental health issues and end the stigma surrounding the condition.

He was diagnosed with depression last year, after what he described as many years of suffering with the illness.

"My first bout of depression came as a teenager," he said.

"The second bout began in 2013, and combined with the anxiety, stress and insomnia I was suffering at the time, it began to take over my life.

"Many illnesses and conditions are widely spoken about and displayed for all to see, but there is a taboo about openly discussing mental illness.

"I am hoping to help raise awareness of how many people suffer silently with their conditions, show that it can affect anyone, and raise money to go towards helping those that need it most."

Mr Nicholl took up running when he was 18 as a means of keeping fit, and said the regular activity not only allowed him to shed five stone in weight, but also to cope with his feelings of depression.

"Running is very much my release, and I find I can go out for hours and just clear my head," he said.

"When I was really bad, I was completely reliant on it, it was my crutch to lean on.

"Taking up running has undeniably helped to change my life and turn me in to a much healthier person, and now I intend to help it change the lives of others."

In 2013, Mr Nicholl raised £4,500 for charity by running 1,000km in 53 races up and down the country.

He donated the money to the National Eczema Society, as his partner suffers from the condition.

"I ran more than I ever had in a year, including my first-ever marathon, and generally re-discovered my love for running," he said.

"More importantly than that, I gained first-hand experience of how running could be used for good and to raise money for charity, and how many people’s lives you can reach despite how focused and personal your motivations were.

"I've put a £2,000 target on the Just Giving page this time, but there's no set figure in my head. I just want to raise as much as I can.

"Running the 15 marathons seemed to have a nice symmetry to it with this year ending in '15, and they are events I wanted to take on anyway.

"I'm just pushing myself further to try and help those who can't help themselves."

For more information on Mr Nicholl's challenge, visit www.runtothemoon.co.uk.