Thousands raised for Suffolk Mind through RED January
Hundreds of people across the county have been raising money for Suffolk Mind by people getting active every day to beat the blues away.
Nearly 370 people around Suffolk have been involved in RED January 2019, a national initiative promoting the positive power exercise can have on our minds and wellbeing, during a characteristically tough month. So far over £7,000 has been raised for the charity as a result of the campaign.
Nicole Crown is a REDer and has been exercising every day throughout January: “January is a typically difficult month for me, it’s when I’m usually feeling my lowest and most anxious, having suffered with anxiety, depression and OCD on and off since I was a teenager. I have benefited from some of the therapies and services offered by Suffolk Mind to help me manage and cope when I have been feeling mentally unwell so RED January seemed a perfect opportunity to help combat those feelings and raise a bit of money for the charity.
“I have been doing a minimum of 30 minutes exercise every day varying from walking, yoga, Zumba, Burlesque Fit, Drum n Bass Fit, Bounce Fit and ParkRun to name a few. I wanted to try lots of different things to find something that I really enjoy and could carry on once RED January is over.
“It’s been the best January I’ve had in several years and I can’t imagine not doing RED January going forwards. I’m looking forward to what other challenges I can complete with the newfound belief I have in my ability to give anything a go”.
Alice Mcveigh, who’s originally from Suffolk, has been taking part in RED January from Dubai: “RED January has been a real achievement for me. It has made me try things I would never have done before. As a result, I have really got into yoga and been able to spend more time with friends. Being part of the RED community has really kept me going. I am looking forward to participating again next year!”
Nationally a number of celebrities have been involved in the campaign including presenter, Fearne Cotton. On her Instagram page she posted: “To everyone taking part in RED January you are an absolute inspiration! It’s been incredible to be a part of the RED community and see it grow over the years…there are now over 60,000 people around the UK getting active every day this January to support their mental health and at the same time, connecting as a community to inspire and support others by raising vital funds for Mind”.
RED January is founded on research that shows physical activity can reduce symptoms of mental illness such as depression and anxiety. In Suffolk, and across the UK, figures show one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. In England, one in six people report experiencing a common mental health problem, such as anxiety and depression, in any given week.
Jon Neal, the Chief Executive of Suffolk Mind, has been taking part in RED January, getting people like West Suffolk MP, Secretary of State for Health, Matt Hancock involved. Jon has visited the Cambridge University rowing team, participated in Float Fit at Crown Pools in Ipswich, HIIT training at Brandon Leisure Centre, rugby in Woodbridge and even pole dancing at Henley Community Centre.
Money raised from campaigns such as RED January, helps Suffolk Mind to achieve our aim of making Suffolk the best place in the world for talking about and taking care of mental health.
Author: Kristina Brinkley
Posted on: 1st February 2019
