TWO men who stepped through the doors of Andy’s Man Club when at their lowest are giving back to help save more lives.

Kevin Woodward and Stuart MacKenzie have set themselves the challenge of completing the 96-mile West Highland Way in the space of two days for the charity.

The pair will set off from Milngavie at 6am on June 21 with the goal of reaching the end point at Fort William the following evening.

Walking non-stop and through the night, it will be an emotional, mental and physical strain.

Kevin, from Cowdenbeath, and Stuart, from Ballingry, are both facilitators at the Andy’s Man Club branch in Cowdenbeath and are eager to help raise money and awareness that will see more men benefit.

Both aged 43, they will have each other to lean on for support as they embark on the daunting endeavour.

Speaking to the Times this week, they anticipate a mental struggle.

Kevin said: “If we can get through this, I feel we can get through anything.

“I know I couldn’t do this on my own, and I know having Stuart beside me will make a huge difference. He’ll help me and I’ll help him. He’s the only person I know that’s as insane enough as I am to do this.

“I know I’ll want to quit, and it will hurt, but we’ll push each other.

“I’ve been going to Andy’s Man Club for seven months now and I have seen and felt what it has done for me and for other men. Saving the lives of more men is why we’re doing this.”

Kevin first attended Andy’s Man Club after years of “life kicking me in the gut” finally peaked in October last year.

“There was a lot going on in my life over a period of many years and I had bottled up my feelings for a long, long time”, he explained.

“I was always the support for others, but I never looked after myself. In October, I was having thoughts that were pretty dark. I’ve got three beautiful kids to look after, and I knew I needed to get help for them.

“Life was kicking me in the gut, and it hit a peak. Andy’s Man Club became my outlet and I go now every week without fail. Going that first time was the most nervous I’d ever been. I actually went twice before going in. I was terrified and I drove off. It was on the third week that I finally went in.”

Doing so is a decision he does not regret and he is desperate for other men to step forward.

Kevin added: “We’re hoping to raise as much money as possible and to normalise Andy’s Man Club.

“You don’t have to be suicidal to attend, either. I think that’s a common misconception. We don’t want you to ever get that far.

“If you are struggling with your mental health, or you may just want to talk to someone else, then please come along. Getting you in as early as possible is what we want and hope for.”

Stuart had endured intrusive thoughts of suicide and he made an attempt on his life before his first visit to Andy’s Man Club.

Like Kevin, he knows the West Highland Way challenge will be a test of mental and physical strength.

He said: “It’s going to be a mental challenge as much as it will be a physical one.

“There’s no doubt that we will have moments when we will need to push each other and remember what we are doing this for.

“I think the overarching feeling is that we’re both desperate to give back to Andy’s Man Club for what they have done for us.

“Kev and I still attend regularly. We aren’t ‘fixed’. There will be nights that we’ll want to share and get stuff off our chest, and other times we’ll listen to others in the room.

“It’s quite a magical experience, really, being able to do that and be there to support each other.

“I attended for the first time six months ago and I’ve not looked back.

“I’d strongly implore anyone who may be feeling down to come along. You don’t have to speak, you can just listen if you wish to.

“Myself and Kev know just how difficult it can be to take that first step. We’ve been there. We see men sitting in their cars outside scared of coming in. We know that feeling.

“It’s a hard journey, there’s no doubt about that, but being able to take that negative energy you have and transform it can be absolutely game-changing.

“I had been living in a hostel in Cupar in just a shoebox-sized room with no support network. It was awful for me. I’m now in Ballingry and I’m motivated and I’m making the days count.

“I have a son who means the world to me and through all this I know who my real friends and family are. That first step you take is the hardest, but it is so worth it.”

Kevin and Stuart have set a £2,000 fundraising target, and you can donate online at: www.justgiving.com/page/whw-nonstop-andysmanclub