A SPORTS lecturer at Heart of Worcestershire College has raised a phenomenal £2,752 for the Mental Health Foundation after running 10km every day throughout January.
Callum Clarke took on the challenge to try and raise awareness for those suffering with mental health issues, beat the lockdown blues and raise some money for charity in the process.
The Mental Health Foundation mission is to “help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health.”
To achieve this, the charity runs community and peer programmes, conducts research, engages with the public through advice and awareness, and advocates for positive mental health through solution proposals and campaigns for change to address the underlying causes of poor mental health.
“The challenge itself was an enjoyable one,” said Callum.
“The hardest part was the first week as my legs were aching after each run but once I got over that initial period it became a routine to just get out and run.
“I near enough had a different person to run with each night and everyone was so kind in sending supportive messages.
“Equally, all the donations I received also spurred me on.
“I even managed to get my personal best for 10k on the last day of the challenge, I’d never felt so fit!”
There was also a personal reason for Callum taking on the task as he’d struggled with mental health himself after losing his Dad five years ago.
His aim throughout the challenge was to encourage people to speak out and raise awareness of mental health, and to hopefully help some people along the way.
“It means a lot to have raised so much money for a special charity, especially during these times, positive mental health for everyone should be at the forefront of people’s minds,” he said.
“I think it’s really important that we are checking up on each other regularly. Hopefully it’s not too long until we can begin socialising again!”
