Reality TV star Sophie Stonehouse is all set for a wild ride as she backs her boyfriend’s bonkers bid to unicycle across Britain.
The Too Hot To Handle sensation, aged 24, is offering full-on support while her other half, Izak Lewis, 29, aims to nail an impressive 273-mile trek on just one wheel this coming Saturday (12/10).
Lewis kicked off the insane unicycle mission from Shoreham by Sea in West Sussex en route to Queensbury, West Yorks. , on September 10, honouring his dad who envisioned the one-wheeled venture before tragically taking his life in 2014.
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Izak’s finishing the journey his father couldn’t, busting out 20 miles daily to raise cash for suicide prevention.
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Whilst Izak’s on pedal duty, sweetheart Sophie is zipping alongside him, biking, driving, or setting up camp as they carve their path up the nation. Not to forget, the Manchester lovebirds are joined by pup Sprout, tagging along in Sophie’s bike basket.
Soph’s stint in Netflix’s steamy series has clearly set her up for rugged adventures. The starlet was quoted gushing over her beau: “I’m obviously very proud of him.”
She added, “I wouldn’t have committed to put everything on hold to do this with him if I wasn’t.”
Sophie stresses the deep personal streak in the challenge, saying, “Izak has really wanted to complete this unicycle ride in memory of his dad.”
Despite the adrenaline and the cause, Stonehouse doesn’t miss a beat championing a broader ethos. “This has been a real journey for Izak. I’m a woman and I stand for women’s rights but there is so much out there already for women in terms of support.”
“I’ve got male friends and a brother and a dad. There’s a stigma around men being manly and not crying and I think it’s really sad, when you look at the statistics and the amount of male suicides there are.”
“It’s not spoken about enough.”
Izak’s father, Patrick Lewis, had originally planned to undertake his own epic unicycle journey from Queensbury his hometown to London.
A decade on, Izak is fulfilling his father’s initial plan by making the trip in reverse, carrying Patrick’s ashes with them to bring them home.
He’s also fundraising for the male suicide prevention charity, Tough to Talk.
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However, Izak and Sophie’s trek across the UK hasn’t been without its hurdles.
Heavy rain and Amber weather alerts resulted in many of the campsites they had reserved closing earlier than expected this year.
They’ve braved freezing conditions and suffered a major blow when a van collided with their support vehicle, damaging Izak’s unicycle, which has since been generously replaced by sponsors.
Sophie added: “Tough to Talk is a great charity and something that could have potentially helped Patrick.”
“Men’s mental health isn’t just about men, it’s about the relationships between men and women.”
“I’d really love to raise as much money and awareness as we can through this unicycle ride and I hope the public supports us on our way.”
Izak, who’s been a whizz on a unicycle since his nipper days thanks to his late dad’s party trick teachings, has opened up about the big personality and bucket loads of fun his old man was.
Chatting about his pops, Izak spilled: “If anything broke, he knew how to fix it. I wouldn’t exactly say he was a big kid but I had a fun childhood.”
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He reminisced about the good times, saying: “We’d ride motorbikes, he used to bring me and my sister mobility scooters so we could ride around. We always did cool stuff.”
The lad’s got a heartwarming plan: “For the last couple of years I’ve been thinking I needed to do this ride in his memory. You don’t know what’s round the corner.”
Izak’s also a big supporter of Tough to Talk, praising the charity: “Tough to Talk is a brilliant charity. They are great guys who run it. A lot of men need to talk more. I have just started to do it.”
He’s a firm believer in chinwags for mental health: “It is good to talk. If you don’t, you bottle up your emotions and just end up really struggling.”
Steve Whittle, the top dog at Tough to Talk, couldn’t be more chuffed with Izak’s unicycle challenge, backed by his partner Sophie: “I am deeply grateful and profoundly inspired by Izak’s unicycle challenge, supported by his incredible partner Sophie.”
He’s all praise for the duo’s efforts: “Their unwavering commitment shines a powerful light on the urgent need for male suicide prevention.”
Steve reckons they’re proper heroes: “Together, they are not only raising vital funds but also breaking the silence that surrounds men’s mental health.”
He’s full of hope, thanks to them: “Their dedication is a beacon of hope, driving our mission forward and reminding us all of the impact each of us can have in saving lives.”
“Every penny raised for Tough To Talk directly fuels our mission to reduce male suicide by delivering vital content and training.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
