Lancashire Mind launches Break Boundaries corporate challenge

Mental health charity Lancashire Mind is kicking off Mental Health Week – which runs from May 10 to May 16 – by re-launching its successful Breaking Boundaries campaign. 

This year it’s asking people to collectively walk, run or cycle the 417-mile equivalent of the old Lancashire border not once but FOUR times!  

In addition, this year they and are also asking Lancashire businesses to take on the team challenge and will be creating a corporate league table to see which business will be crowned Breaking Boundaries Corporate Champion 2021. 

Breaking Boundaries was launched last year to raise awareness about better mental health for all; to celebrate Lancashire; and to encourage people to get active during lockdown at the same time as raising funds for the charity.  

Fundraising lead Emma Bateson said: “This challenge is about Lancashire businesses taking on each other in the name of spreading the word about better mental health for all, celebrating Lancashire and encouraging employees to get active, connect and work as a team whilst raising a few quid. Last year we challenged our supporters to travel the boundary once and they smashed it so this year we want to cover the boundary four times. 

“That links in with the fact everyone has mental health and as a charity we are here for the 4 in 4 as well as the 1 in 4 who live with a mental health condition. We are doing this for everyone as everyone in Lancashire deserves to have good mental health.” 

Lancashire Mind has lost up to 40 per cent of its fundraising income in the last 12 months due to cancelled events. 

This is at a time that restrictions and lockdowns caused by the pandemic has meant that mental health and workplace wellbeing has been brought to the fore and the important work Lancashire Mind does is needed now more than ever. 

Tommy McIlravey, chief executive at Lancashire Mind, said: “We work extensively with businesses right across our county, enabling employers to help their employees. People in Lancashire, many of whom may have experienced mental health conditions for the first time, need to feel able to talk about their mental health, ask for help when they need it and know where to access the support.” 

Starting on Monday, May 10, the Breaking Boundaries challenge tasks people to collectively walk the equivalent of Lancashire’s original borders four times – a total of 1,668 miles – and pledge money for each mile they walk. 

The size of the team doesn’t matter as the miles will be calculated per person taking part. If 10 people cover 10 miles that will count as 1 mile per person, and if 20 people cover 10 miles that will count as 0.5 miles per person, so every team is in with a chance of finishing top of the league.   

Mental Health Awareness Week raise awareness of mental health issues and inspires action to promote the message of good mental health for all. 

Tommy added: “At Lancashire Mind we believe that there should be no barriers to people achieving good mental health and wellbeing and we work continually to break boundaries and lead a mental wellbeing revolution. 

“It’s important for us to help start discussions about mental health and wellbeing especially in the workplace, and Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity for us to do that. 

“No one could have predicted a year ago that we would still be facing the challenges of Covid-19. Mental health and wellbeing challenges are faced by many people on a day-to-day basis, every day. And no one can predict the fallout the past year will have on people's mental health, including those that may have been on furlough for long periods of time and are anxious about returning to the workplace. It's therefore more important than ever that we are able to continue to deliver our services. 

“Every donation will help us raise much needed funds and ultimately increase the work we can do to support the people of Lancashire.” 

You can find more information on how to take part in the Breaking Boundaries 2021 at: https://bit.ly/LMBB21