Student friends aim to run over 60 miles in March for mental health charity

Their timing could not be more appropriate, with mental health at the top of the news agenda currently, surrounding revelations within the Royal family and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Lucy Atkinson, 21, a student at the University of Lincoln, and Rosie Clarke, 22, also from Sleaford are hoping to complete the ‘27 27’ challenge set up by Mind UK, which challenges them to run 27 miles across 27 days in March. It is particularly aimed at students as this number represents the 27 per cent of students who report mental health issues while at university.

Lucy added: “We are aware in the current climate that it’s not just students who are battling mental health.

“We are going to be running an extra 34.56 miles, to represent the 60 per cent of adults and over two thirds of young people (68 per cent) that have reported their mental health got worst during the National Lockdown, taking the total to 61.56 miles.

(60% of the original 27 miles is 16.2 miles, 68% of the original 27 miles is 18.36, adding those together on top of the 27 miles to get 61.56 in total).

So far they have raised £710 and hope to achieve their goal of £830 including Gift Aid.

Lucy said: “We want to raise as much money as possible for this incredible charity, but also help spread awareness of the importance of mental health.”

They see it as particularly important as charities like this one have been hit hard by the lack of options for fundraising during the pandemic.

Rosie added: “You can only imagine how many of those issues go unreported or unnoticed. The severity of the mental health crisis in the UK is concerning.

“No-one should be left to cope alone.”

She thanked everyone who supports their cause: “This means so much to me and Lucy and just putting all this into place has been emotional for us.”

You can donate by going to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RosieClarke6#

Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity’s behalf where the donor is eligible for this.

Mind UK provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

This is what your donation could do:

£10 could allow Mind to send essential information booklets about mental health to 40 people.

£40 could pay for 28 people to campaign for change on Mind’s behalf.

£70 could keep Mind’s online community, Elefriends, open and safe for two hours.

£120 could offer a lifeline to eight people in desperate need of support from the Mind legal line.

£200 could help keep the Mind Infoline open for one hour, helping 35 people.

£300 could support a young person bereaved by suicide to access 1:1 and group support.

£550 could provide five people struggling with their mental health a place in a 10-week wellbeing group with team sports and cookery.