Two friends have raised more than £7,000 after cycling across South America for a mental health service in memory of their school friend Charlie Watkins.

East Anglian Daily Times: Roo Clark and James Sutton were school friends of Charlie Watkins, who died in 2017. Picture: WISDOM MAKUBILE/SHOTBYWIZPHOTORoo Clark and James Sutton were school friends of Charlie Watkins, who died in 2017. Picture: WISDOM MAKUBILE/SHOTBYWIZPHOTO (Image: Archant)

Roo Clark, from Stutton, and James Cotton from Northamptonshire spent 129-days cycling from Argentina to Colombia in their 'Top2Toe' journey to raise money for four charities that mean a lot to them - including the Charlie Watkins Foundation.

The pair went to school and played tennis with Charlie Watkins, from Higham near Colchester, who took his own life in March 2017. His suicide has prompted the launch of an online forum called 'Chat with Charlie', which was spearheaded by Charlie's twin brother Harry to raise awareness of mental illness.

The 23-year-olds cycled 7,595 miles, with just 11 of the 129 days spent off of the bikes and on foot due to illness. They also spent 86 nights in a tent and the rest going between hostels - cycling in the dark during 56 nights.

Roo, a recent graduate of Bristol University, said: "It was the best four months of my life.

East Anglian Daily Times: School friends James Cotton and Roo Clark were both friends of Charlie Watkins. Picture: ROO CLARKSchool friends James Cotton and Roo Clark were both friends of Charlie Watkins. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: ROO CLARK)

"It was physically tough at times and it was very emotional, but we knew we had to keep going for the charities we were supporting."

Their 'Top2Toe' journey saw them travel through the Andes, the world's longest mountain range, completely unsupported and carrying up to 50kgs of kit in extreme altitudes up to 4,800 metres.

"The Charlie Watkins Foundation is so important to us both - it is amazing that something so good has come out of something so tragic," added Roo.

"At university the mental health support services are bursting at the seams and they can't cope with the number of people who need help and support."

East Anglian Daily Times: The pair set off on the trek on January 24 2019 and arrived home on June 3. Picture: ROO CLARKThe pair set off on the trek on January 24 2019 and arrived home on June 3. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: ROO CLARK)

The aim of the 'Chat with Charlie' forum which was launched by the foundation is to provide a safe space for students to speak openly about their own mental health. It is a one to one chatroom with trained volunteers and operates everyday from 6pm.

James and Roo's original target was £15,000 which they increased to £20,000 half-way through the trip, after being taken aback by the amount people were donating.

Their current total stands at £28,652 including gift aid, meaning all four charities will receive more than £7,000.

The money which will be donated to the Charlie Watkins Foundation will be used to help expand the support network at the University of Essex, with plans to role out the service at five other universities, including the University of York where Charlie studied criminology.

East Anglian Daily Times: Chat with Charlie has been launched at the University of Essex by the Charlie Watkins Foundation. Picture: PROMINENTChat with Charlie has been launched at the University of Essex by the Charlie Watkins Foundation. Picture: PROMINENT (Image: PROMINENT)

The pair will also be donating to War Child, Midlands Air Ambulance and SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society).

You can still donate to their four chosen charities here and you can see all the pictures from their journey on their Instagram page.

East Anglian Daily Times: Roo Clark, from Stutton, was a close friend of Charlie Watkins who took his own life in 2017. Picture: ROO CLARKRoo Clark, from Stutton, was a close friend of Charlie Watkins who took his own life in 2017. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: ROO CLARK)

East Anglian Daily Times: The pair cycled 7,595 miles in 129 days with just 11 days off of the bike completely due to illness and rest. Picture: ROO CLARKThe pair cycled 7,595 miles in 129 days with just 11 days off of the bike completely due to illness and rest. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: ROO CLARK)

East Anglian Daily Times: The pair raised £28,652 with gift aid which will be split between four charities. Picture: ROO CLARKThe pair raised £28,652 with gift aid which will be split between four charities. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: ROO CLARK)

East Anglian Daily Times: They spent 86 nights of the trip in a tent. Picture: ROO CLARKThey spent 86 nights of the trip in a tent. Picture: ROO CLARK (Image: They spent 86 nights of the trip in a tent. Picture: ROO CLARK)