'My sweaty post-run snap boosted my mental health'

A man struggling with depression, whose "sweaty" post-run selfie led to a wave of support on social media from other runners, has said it was a "turning point" for his mental health.

Joshua Brandwood, 30, of Lancaster, said he had been trying to cope by binge eating and had gained about three stones when he decided to go for a run and he has since signed up for a charity 21-mile race.

He posted a photo of his "small victory" on X and received more than 1,000 messages of support including one from The Hull Boy who has 80,000 followers and is a champion for fitness and mental wellbeing.

Mr Brandwood is now joining the teenager on part of his charity run from Land's End to John o' Groats.

The photographer is more comfortable behind the camera lens and finds the irony in how his quick selfie went viral with more than 220,000 views of "me looking sweaty after a run".

The father-of-two said he was so surprised at how it snowballed with "incredible" messages of support from over all the world.

"It was overwhelming the positivity - it shows people care," he said.

"It has restored my faith in people."

MIND fundraiser The Hull Boy, who is originally from Hull but now lives in North Yorkshire, was one of those who reached out to him.

It has led to Mr Brandwood pledging to join him for the Lancaster to Kendal part of his run.

The Hull Boy is due to start his run in aid of the mental health charity on 1 April with Mr Brandwood set to do the Lancaster to Kendal stretch on 23 April.

"This run is really exciting," he said. "It's a big challenge for me and has given me a sense of purpose.

"It has motivated me to turn my life around and break the cycle of being down and binge-eating."

And if it could motivate others in a similar position to do the same, he said it was a "win-win".

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.