Can Lancashire businesses help mental health charity reach Lapland?

Mental Health charity Lancashire Mind have launched their annual Mental Elf race and are looking for corporate sponsors to help make this year's event bigger and better than ever.  

The race is being run virtually this year due to COVID-19 and the charity have extended the run from a 5k jog around Whittam Park in Blackburn to a staggering 3,226km team fundraising challenge!  

People are being urged to join in running, walking, skipping, swimming or even cycling up to a collective distance of 3,226km (2,005 miles) – the distance from Lancashire to Santa’s home in Lapland – between Tuesday, December 1, and Saturday, December 12, all in aid of Lancashire Mind.  

Fundraising manager Emma Bateson said: “Mental Elf is Lancashire Mind’s flagship fundraising event and is in its 6th year. This is the first time the physical event has been replaced with a virtual challenge and we are really excited to have created something new whilst also retaining all the best bits of Mental Elf from previous years.  

“Lancashire businesses are always a key part of Mental Elf and we want this to continue for the 2020 fundraiser. We are appealing to businesses to support this event and in return we can offer some really exciting and valuable opportunities to promote not only your business but your company’s commitment to the mental wellbeing of all in Lancashire.  

“As well as sponsorship opportunities the event itself is a great way to bring employees together- entering a team is a great way of keeping the workplace team spirit up even when you’re not all physically in the office. Participants log as many kilometers as possible so that by the end date we’ll have racked up enough to reach from Lancashire to Lapland! The great thing about doing it virtually is that anyone in Lancashire can take part at any time, any place.You can log five kilometres or fifty – it’s completely up to you”.  

All entrants will receive a Mental Elf welcome pack and they’ll also have access to a private Facebook group which will include festive-themed warmups, exclusive entertainment from Lancashire musicians, ideas for Christmas-themed activities and games and a score tracker so everyone can see progress in real-time.  

Emma added: “Christmas can be a stressful time for many people, so having a collective goal will bring the people of Lancashire together and give them something fun and positive to focus on – especially after such an incredibly challenging year.”   

Lancashire Mind has suffered significant loss this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Not only has there been a sharp fall in fundraising activities but there has been increased pressure on the need for its services. The charity, as well as wanting to attract as many entrants as possible are also looking to Lancashire companies to help them and is making available several corporate packages for businesses.  

Emma added: “Sponsorship is a fantastic way to support a local charity whilst achieving a route to market and generating great brand awareness amongst your customers.  

“We have a large network of supporters across our social media, mailing lists and website visitors. Not to mention all those we reach through our work in schools, communities and workplaces making it an extremely attractive offer for any business.”  

Last year Lancashire Mind worked directly with over 12,000 children and adults across the county and reached thousands more through phone calls, emails and on social media.  

“It’s so important that we’re able to continue to deliver our services to the people of Lancashire especially at this current time and are hoping for support from Lancashire businesses.” 

Packages start from as little as £100 and there are also product donation and other opportunities to support. Any business that would like further information should contact emma.bateson@lancashiremind.org.uk or call office on 01257 231660