Jack Dane, a 21-year-old sports journalism student at the University of Liverpool, has opened up about his mental health struggles and his 1,000-mile bike ride to raise funds for the UK Men's Sheds Association (UKMSA). Dane, from Bebington, described feeling like an "outsider" and spending days "rotting away in bed" after failing to integrate into social groups at university.
Loneliness and Breakdowns
Dane's difficulties began in late October or early November 2025, when he tried joining the university's football society. "I had heard all these good things from my mates that played in it the year before. But what I did not realize was how clique-like it was going to be," he told the ECHO. "If you were not in that clique, you were never going to be." He added that not making friends within the first few weeks left him isolated.
His reliance on his girlfriend for social support worsened when their long-distance relationship ended. "There was so much effort and energy that went into making the long distance relationship viable that when that stopped being an option, there was no fall back," he said. On his days off from working 35 to 40 hours a week at a golf club, he would "just sit in bed because no one would chat to me."
By February 2026, Dane recognized his mental health was deteriorating, leading to three breakdowns, the first in November 2025. His father was the first to learn of his struggles after a breakdown. "I got in the car after my first breakdown and he picked me up, and I just could not hold it in," Dane recalled. His family rallied around him, but the breakdowns continued until April 2026.
Turning Point and Fundraising
In mid-April, two friends, Kian Sheahan and Callum Hilton, began making more effort with Dane. "Things have improved a lot since then," he said. He committed to returning to football next year, a decision that would have seemed impossible months earlier. "I am glad that I am in a place where I am happy to go back again next year," he said.
Determined to help others, Dane researched charities addressing male loneliness and discovered the UK Men's Sheds Association. "I wish I had known this had existed sooner because it would have been way more helpful than trying to battle through this thing on your own," he said. He planned a bike ride from Marshall Meadows Bay in Northumberland to Land's End in Cornwall, covering approximately 1,000 miles.
Dane trained hard for the journey, despite occasional fatigue. "I have woken up this morning after doing 30 miles yesterday and the legs are a little bit tired, but it is something I am really excited for," he said. He noted that some friends plan to join him along the way.
Message of Hope
Dane hopes his story encourages others to seek help. "I am proud that I have gotten to a point where I have overcome something I know so many people are struggling with, which proves that everyone can overcome it," he said. "Hopefully, people who are struggling with loneliness can then make the stance to go, okay, this guy was in a bad place, he has come out of it, he has done this massive bike ride, what can I do to change it?"
Donations to Jack's fundraiser can be made online. The UK Men's Sheds Association supports men's mental health through community workshops and social activities.
