A WORCESTERSHIRE dad, who won a police bravery award for helping to save the life of a man who set himself alight, is taking on the first Vélo Birmingham 100-mile cycle sportive to raise funds for mental health awareness.

Without the brave and selfless actions of Tim Tranter, from Stourport-on-Severn, the man would have suffered life changing injuries or may have died, according to West Mercia Police.

Tim, with the help of another passer-by David Garrett, pushed the man to the floor, smothered the flames, removed his burning clothing and continued to pat out the flames on his head and hands.

The 31-year-old operations manager and product designer for a manufacturing firm in Bromyard, Herefordshire, was commended for his actions by West Mercia Police during a ceremony in February. He received his award from the High Sheriff of Herefordshire Bill Jackson.

The dramatic incident changed Tim’s outlook on life and he is now taking on the inaugural Vélo Birmingham to raise £1,000 for the mental health charity Mind.

The organisation provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It has a network of 140 local groups offering specialised support and care based on the needs of the communities they support.

The charity also campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health.

Tim described his experience in Bromyard, which has inspired him to take on the marathon cycle challenge for charity.

He said: “Leaving work a few minutes late one Friday evening changed my outlook on life and made me realise, not only how life is precious but also how mental health, while not visible to the naked eye, can be so fragile.

“It can be so debilitating and cause people to do the most extreme of things not imaginable to many.

“As I left work and pulled off our industrial estate on to the main access road I noticed, what at first looked like a man lighting a cigarette with a large flamed lighter and thought nothing else of it.

“A few seconds later, having driven off down the road, I looked back in my mirror to see the man ablaze and staggering across the road.”

Tim continued: “Immediately I slammed my car into reverse to get to the man and jumped out of the car. I shouted at him to get down and roll. When he didn’t I pushed him to the ground and rolled him over several times to try and smother the flames.

“This was when I noticed the flames were not going out but instead being fed with an accelerant the man had doused himself in.”

As the blaze was spreading rapidly Tim said he was faced with no option but to remove the source of the fire – his clothes.

“With the clothes now removed I patted the fire out from the rest of his head, hair and body. Finally, the fire was extinguished,” he added.

“At this stage and due to the noise made from the initial shouting, two other men aided me in keeping the man calm while I called the emergency services.

“The emergency services told us the man had been missing all day and has a history of mental illness. The police and ambulance service thanked me for saving the man’s life. All I can hope is anyone would do the same for me.

“It seems strange having to tell this tale as it still seems a little unreal and I don't feel like I have done anything that anyone else wouldn’t have done.”

Tim, who is married to Kara and has a three-year-old son, Joshua, cycles with Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club. Several members of the club will be taking part in Vélo Birmingham.

“One in four of us will suffer mental health issues this year and no-one should have to face it alone, or believe there is no help available,” added Tim.

“Mind does amazing work helping those with mental health issues and promoting its awareness.”

To sponsor Tim visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Tim-Tranter

Vélo Birmingham, which takes place on Sunday September 24, sold out its 15,000 places within four days last September.

It starts and finishes on Birmingham city centre’s Broad Street before taking riders along closed roads through Worcestershire countryside, towns and villages including Bewdley, Great Witley, Ombersley, Droitwich, Elmbridge and Belbroughton.

It continues through Staffordshire including Kinver, Wombourne and Trysull. Cyclists will also ride past the medieval Stourton Castle and the wildlife reserve at Highgate Common.

A small number of individual places are still available through the event’s lead charity partners. To find out more about the partners to this event visit https://velobirmingham.com/partners-list/.

Companies can also enter teams through the Business 100 challenge. Visit https://velobirmingham.com/the-ride/business-100/ for more information.

According to the Mental Health Foundation

• Mental health and behavioural problems (depression, anxiety and drug use) are reported to be the primary factors in disability worldwide.

• It is estimated one in six people in the UK experienced a common mental health problem in the past week.

• Major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to suicide and ischemic heart disease.

• Four to 10 per cent of people in England will experience depression in their lifetime.

• Anxiety and depression is thought to cause one fifth of days lost work in Britain.

• Suicide is the most common form of death for men In England and Wales aged 20 to 49.

• One in 15 people in England has made a suicide attempt at some point in their life.

• In 2015 6,188 suicides were recorded in the UK and 75 per cent of these were men.