WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Joan is taking off her stilettos and pulling on a pair of runners, and Nick is just pulling on his walking boots, to take part in a 25 mile marathon event in order to raise funds for Mentally Fit York at the University of York. We've never attempted anything like this ever and to say we're nervous is putting it mildly but we are determined to play our part in supporting York Unlimited, the University of York's first ever institutional philanthropy campaign.
We've chosen to support The Great York Walk because research and clinical care to support those who are affected by mental ill-health is hugely under funded and needs our support.
Mental ill-health doesn't discriminate and whether we're experts in mental health or not, we should all be able to feel safe and supported in talking to each other about our mental health.
Mentally Fit York will raise funds to promote good mental health both at the University and importantly across the city of York. As Director of External Relations, and Director of the York Festival of Ideas, Joan is passionate about working with our city to improve the lives of everyone lucky enough to live here. As a health economist at YHEC, Nick is equally keen to raise funds for an area of research that is hugely under-funded.
So please support us to raise money to fund initiatives such as mental health first aid, as well as research projects looking to further our understanding of mental health issues and the barriers to accessing support services.
Your support could also go towards providing Mental Health Nursing Scholarships, helping to ensure that the NHS is equipped to deal with the increased demand for mental healthcare as we start to become more comfortable in including discussions of mental health when we talk about our health and wellbeing in our communities.
If we hit our target, 20 people will be able to receive mental health first aid training or we'll be able to support a Mental Health Nursing Scholar for about half a term - please donate anything you can to help us make this happen! :)
And of course if you want to have a good laugh as Nick trots his 25 miles and Joan hopefully limps over the finish line, you can come and join us on the walk? Sign up here.
