Cornard United assistant manager and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) sufferer Jack Pridmore is set to embark on what promises to be a challenge of a lifetime this week.
Starting this Saturday and finishing next Sunday, Pridmore will, by any means of transport possible, attempt to visit every English county – all in the name of OCD awareness.
The 24-year-old, who has suffered from the disorder since he was six years old, is set to run three marathons, cycle hundreds of miles, climb, walk, and stumble over some of England’s largest mountains, as well as travel by foot, boat, tram, car, train, and any other form of transport he can while raising money for OCD Action.
Pridmore starts his mammoth journey on Saturday by running a marathon, leaving OCD Action’s headquarters in Angel, north London, before visiting Hertfordshire and Essex.
From here, the assistant manager of Thurlow Nunn First Division side Cornard United, has some instructions to bark from the sideline as Cornard take on Swaffham Town in league action!
Pridmore, who lives in Chelmsford and works in Witham, will then continue with his adventure, attempting to visit all 83 counties of England, from Cornwall to Northumberland, hoping to raise money for, and awareness of, a condition that has dominated his life.
“OCD has dominated my life for as long as I can remember,” said Pridmore, who used to play football in the lower-leagues in countries such as Belgium and Finland.
“It’s changed the way I live and has varied from things such as cleanliness, harm, professionalism, and counting numbers.
“It can change day to day with different modes, that’s the nature of the beast – and metaphorically speaking, that’s why I’m taking on this challenge, using a variety of different methods to travel – that physically I shouldn’t be able to really do, but mentally I can.”
Pridmore cannot wait for what promises to be a gruelling week, and has raised more than £1,600 so far – with £500 coming from illusionist and hypnotist, Derren Brown.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so here – https://www.justgiving.com/ocdjack/.
Pridmore is also welcoming anyone interested in his quest to join him along the way, getting actively involved in helping himself through the journey, and indeed raising money and educating the wider audience about OCD.
To read more about Pridmore’s adventure, and to keep up with his quest over the next week, you can do so here – http://www.hittheroadjack.co.uk/.
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