OVER 2,000 runners took part in this year’s 10k Stampede at Colchester Zoo raising over £22,000 for Mid and North East Essex Mind.
Katie Cole-Fallon, from Maldon, said she was running for her sister who has mental health issues and for Mind who helped the family.
Katie said: “Their work helping my sister really showed me the good they do for people, and this is my way of thanking them.”
Ella Jones - Katie’s personal trainer and fellow Maldon resident– also ran the 10k.
She said: “Physical exercise is great for mental health. I’ve seen some of my clients' mental wellbeing improve as a result of physical challenges.”
Lee Mullon, from Heybridge, said Mid and North East Essex Mind had been “a great source of support and guidance” which made raising money for them “really important”.
Ginny Idehen, chief executive of Mid and North East Essex Mind, said: “We were overwhelmed by the response from fundraisers to this year’s Stampede. Everyone in the community came out to support this fun event.”
“Exercise is brilliant for our general fitness, but it also helps us release happy hormones, which is great for our mental health.”
The Stampede also supports Colchester Zoo’s ‘Action for the Wild’ charity which helps to fund conservation projects globally including a 6,000-hectare UmPhafa private nature reserve in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.
Mid and North East Essex Mind serve a population of 600,000 people from Braintree to Clacton and Colchester to Chelmsford and provide services designed to meet local people’s needs.
The organisation offers a crisis café for urgent mental health care and practical help to overcome stress, anxiety and depression.
Though affiliated with national Mind, Mid and North East Essex Mind does not receive any funding from them and relies on support from local businesses and individuals.
Mid and North East Essex Mind will also be the charity partner for Stampede 2025 which will be on April 27 next year.
To enquire about running places email fundraising@mnessexmind.org or call 01206 764600 and for more about Mid and North East Essex Mind visit www.mnessexmind.org.
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