Mental Elf 2021 mission to cover 4000km from Pike to Pole

Mental health charity Lancashire Mind is seeking Lancashire businesses to sponsor and support its flagship fundraising event: Mental Elf 2021. 

Aiming to collectively travel the 4,042km from Rivington Pike to the North Pole, Lancashire Mind are asking supporters to choose their own distance challenges or take part in the charity’s 5K Fun Run on Sunday 5 December at Witton Park Blackburn. 

Open to all ages and abilities, supporters can run, walk, cycle, swim, hop or skip their mile challenges between Sunday 29 November and Sunday 5 December, raising money and awareness of mental health and wellbeing across Lancashire. 

Emma Bateson, fundraising lead at Lancashire Mind, said: “Lancashire businesses are always a key part of Mental Elf. They have always stepped up and partnered with us for this, our biggest event of the year, and we couldn’t do out without them. It’s a great opportunity for Lancashire companies to promote their businesses and also show their 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 fun way of keeping the workplace team spirit up even if you’re not all physically in the office.” 

Lancashire-based nutritional pet food producer, Webbox, are this year's headline sponsor and there are a number of other attractive sponsorship packages available for businesses looking to champion mental health and wellbeing. 

Julie Butcher, head of marketing at Pets Choice said: ‘We jumped at the chance to support Lancashire Mind’s Mental Elf initiative. As a business, we are always really keen to support and boost awareness of charities like Lancashire Mind that actively improve mental health and wellbeing across communities and nationally.  

“It’s fantastic to see so many people from our local area also supporting this and getting involved in the Mental Elf challenges - as well as raising lots of money for an important cause, its shaping up to be a fun filled day too!’ 

Emma continued: “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.”  

2019 saw Lancashire Mind work directly with over 12,000 children and adults across the county and reached thousands more through phone calls, emails and on social media. The pandemic in 2020 saw a slight reduction in these figures but by quickly adapting many of their services online the charity was still able to help and meet the needs of thousands of people across Lancashire. 

“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 we are looking for support from Lancashire businesses to help us achieve this.” 

Any business that would like further information should contact emma.bateson@lancashiremind.org.uk or visit https://bit.ly/mentalelf21