Busy weekend of raising funds and awareness for mental health charity, Suffolk Mind
A number of individual fundraisers across Suffolk are taking part in different activities this weekend (21st -23rd June), all to raise money and awareness for Suffolk Mind. For example:
· Asmah Syed is walking 24 hours around Ipswich
· Cllr James Finch is walking part of the Stour Valley Path
· A group of people, including Suffolk Food Hall fundraisers are taking part in The Orwell Challenge
This Friday, Suffolk Day, commencing at 10pm (21st June) Asmah Syed will be doing a 24 hour walk around Ipswich. She is currently training in respiratory medicine and general medicine at Ipswich hospital and wants to do something challenging both physically and mentally to raise awareness of mental health.
Asmah said: “I find mental health a fascinating subject and feel that we should talk more about our state of mind, especially among health care staff.
“The idea behind the 24 hours was that not only does it sound physically demanding, but the element that will get me through will be my mind set. If you think about a 24 hour day, there are times when you are energetic, hungry, thirsty, working, relaxing, socialising and also alone. These moments are associated with complex feelings and emotions”.
Cllr James Finch, the Chairman of the Suffolk County Council has adopted Suffolk Mind as his chosen charity of the year. Over the next few months, starting this Saturday, he will be completing 10 walks along the Stour Valley Path, as well as taking part in many other activities to raise money for Suffolk Mind. The first walk is this Saturday (22nd June) starting from Newmarket Town Hall at 10am.
Cllr James Finch said: “One of the best things about being Chairman, alongside my duties of chairing meetings and representing the council at civic and ceremonial events is being able to champion and support a charity for the duration of my chairmanship. I have chosen Suffolk Mind, a charity very dear to my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by the support and endorsement I have already had in my first four weeks in my new role”.
On Sunday 23rd June, 12 people, including the team at Suffolk Food Hall, are getting involved in the Orwell Challenge. They are running or walking one of three main routes which range from 12 miles to 25 miles for Suffolk Mind.
Craig Bullard is the Suffolk Food Hall event coordinator and butchery supervisor: “Three of us will be taking part in the Orwell Challenge for Suffolk Mind running the 25 mile route this weekend. The Orwell Challenge is a great event where we’ll feel the benefits of exercise on our own wellbeing as well as promoting Suffolk Mind at the same time.”
Lizzy Tuthill, Community Fundraising Coordinator at Suffolk Mind said: “It’s fantastic that so many people are taking part in events in just one weekend for Suffolk Mind.
“Money raised from different challenges like these goes towards things like our counselling services, so they are available to people who can’t afford to wait or go private, and our GreenCare project, that get people out and about working on allotments, learning new skills and meeting up with likeminded people.”
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Posted on: 26th June 2019
