Mental Elf Lancashire 2022

Almost 300 people have supported better mental health by completing our annual fun run, Mental Elf, to help raise awareness and vital funds.

Held at Witton Park in Blackburn, teams of colleagues, friends and family laced up their running shoes to raise over £10,000 for Lancashire Mind and the vital services they deliver within the county’s workplaces, schools and community groups.

Supporters took part in not one but three Mental Elf fun runs including a mini 2K for children under 15 years, a 5k and 10k – accompanied by a live samba band, salsa music, free arts and crafts activities, story telling and face painting.

Tommy McIlravey, CEO of Lancashire Mind, said: “Mental Elf is a fantastic opportunity for families, friends and colleagues to have fun together whilst raising awareness for a very important issue – the importance of looking our own, after each other’s, wellbeing and mental health.

“After a difficult few years and ahead of a challenging winter, it is wonderful to see so many people championing positive mental health and supporting Lancashire Mind. Every penny we raise stays within our county boundaries and helps to deliver essential mental health support such as resilience workshops for young people, tailored workplace wellbeing training, employment and housing services and financial wellbeing support.”

We have seen a significant increase in demand for support since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

As an independent charity, support from corporate partnerships and fundraising events are essential and with 1 in 4 people now experiencing poor mental health, every penny counts.

Tommy added: “More than ever, mental health really does matter. We want people to know that they are not alone and that is it important to discuss wellbeing and mental health openly at home, with friends and at work.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has made today possible including our generous sponsors SPAR wholesaler, James Hall & Co. Ltd.; Pierce Business Advisory & Accountancy Group; Essential Industrial Services Ltd. Webbox, and Concert Homes – our amazing volunteers and dedicated runners.”

Thank you to:

Booths for providing refreshments for volunteers, Tesco Chorley for providing bottles of water for the goody bags, Webbox for providing the best dressed pet prize, Counselling Kind for providing the biggest smile prize, Morrisons Chorley for providing the best dressed elf prize, Becky Gilbert-Rule for face painting, Sue Allonby for story telling, Worldwise Samba Band for performing, Solar Salsa for performing , Ferris Dance Company for performing, Ak Active for the warm ups, Elements Day Spa for the complimentary treatments, Hyndburn Police Cadets and Burnley Police Cadets for marshalling and all our volunteers for making the event possible!

Free entertainment & activities thanks to amazing local individuals/businesses who will be sharing their time & skills for free.

Lancashire Mind is proud to celebrate and feature the talents and skills of local entertainers and businesses at Mental Elf 2022 – all free and all family-friendly!

With activities ranging from Becky who will be face painting to a live performance from the Worldwise Samba Drummers (pictured above) and free treatments from Elements Spa, we want the day to be all about feeling good and having fun.

Here are some of the wonderful people and entertainments we will have on Sunday 4th December 2022:

• Storytelling & face painting Sue Allonby will be sharing her incredible storytelling talents and she will be joined by local artist Becky Gilbert-Rule, who has created a series of bespoke face paint designs especially for those of you joining us on the day. Find out more about Sue here:  www.sueallonby-storyteller.co.uk
• We have a double whammy of music and dancing – with live drumming from the Worldwise Samba drummers and dancing from Solar Salsa dancers. That will get our Elves moving! We can’t wait to enjoy their performances and there is the opportunity to try a bit of salsa dancing yourself! Find out more about them here: www.worldwisesambadrummers.co.uk – www.solarsalsa.org.uk
• The amazing Elements Spa will be on hand to provide a range of free treatments for participants and supporters alike – how amazing does that sound? Find out more about them and their wonderful treatments here: https://elementsdayspa.co.uk
• The brilliant and knowledgeable AK Active will be with us to provide short wellbeing boosting exercises and lead our race warm-ups! Find out more about them here: https://akactive.com
• At Lancashire Mind, we love all things crafts and we will be offering lots of free festive craft activities for children and adults alike to enjoy.