I'm walking 50 miles from Oldham to Blackpool in memory of my brother who died on Christmas Eve at just 28

A woman is set to walk approximately 50 miles from Oldham to Blackpool in memory of her late brother, while raising money to support people experiencing mental health difficulties and grief.

Shanaya Brent, who works as a Blackpool SENDIASS Officer for POINT, will take on the challenge over two days, beginning on Friday 11 September 2026 at the charity’s Oldham office and finishing at her late brother Myles Brent’s former home in Blackpool on Saturday 12 September.

Myles sadly died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve at the age of just 28. He had struggled with his mental health throughout his life and sometimes felt different to others. He left behind his daughter, Sienna, who was three when he died and who is now nine.

Shanaya, who explained that her brother’s death was not a case of suicide, was the person who found her brother and says she has struggled with the experience ever since. The Miles for MYLES walk is being held in his memory, with all money raised going towards a new mental health and grief support service through POINT, which supports families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) across Oldham and Blackpool.

The new service will be called MYLES – Making Your Life Emotionally Stronger and aims to provide a supportive, understanding and safe environment for individuals and families experiencing mental health struggles or grief.

Shanaya hopes the walk will not only raise vital funds but also awareness, helping people who may be struggling to feel less alone.

“Losing him had a devastating impact on my family, and the experience of grief and the struggles surrounding mental health have had a profound effect on all of us,” she said. “I am now undertaking this walk in Myles’s memory, to keep his name alive and to help create something positive from our loss.”

The journey between Oldham, where Shanaya works, and Blackpool, where Myles lived, has particular significance for the family. “This walk is all about raising money in his name to support families/children who may be struggling with the mental health or grief and to create an environment of people with similar struggles and building those new relationships for support.”

Shanaya said the family would be grateful for support in sharing Myles’s story and helping raise awareness of the cause.

“We hope that by sharing Myles’s story, we can help others who may be struggling with their mental health or experiencing grief to feel less alone. We thank you all so much for your kindness, support and donations it truly means the world to us.”

You can find more information about the fundraising walk and donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/milesformyles