Run 1000 donations reach £30,000 for mental health charities
© Adobe Stock A January running and walking challenge has so far raised £30,000 for charities working to improve rural mental health.
Hundreds of people working in agriculture across five countries laced up their trainers to take part in the Run 1000 initiative.
The campaign enables people to raise money for eight farm charities while competing for their home country to cover the most distance.
See also: Run 1000: Farmers raise cash for mental health charities
Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and New Zealand clocked up an incredible 38,937 miles over the month, and the cash donations are still coming in.
Wales was victorious in the inaugural challenge last year, but it was team England who took first place in 2022, finishing on a total of 12,893 miles.
Scotland then Wales made up the top three, followed by New Zealand and Ireland.
You really all do rock. Thank you so much to each and everyone whose taken part, shouted encouragement, spoken of why they are taking part, spread the word and donated.
This initiative only succeeds due to the support from you all. pic.twitter.com/9IQyzL7Vj6— Rural Mental Health (@_Run1000) February 1, 2022
Start the conversation
More importantly, social media has been inundated with the personal milestones of runners and walkers who have been talking openly about mental health.
The key aim of the campaign is to highlight the benefits running and walking can have for your mental health.
Agronomist Tom Kirby took on the challenge of running 133 miles carrying 13.3kg in January for team England – 133 being the number of people in the agriculture industry who took their lives in 2019.
“That number is pretty harrowing for our industry and it shows how big an issue it is,” he told Farmers Weekly.
Mr Kirby encouraged people to talk about their mental health and said the Run 1000 initiative showed that the support is there.
The agronomist said he has used more than 1m of tape to keep his knees working throughout the challenge.
“I thought 133 pounds would probably have been a bit too much to carry – I needed some knees left for the crop-walking season.”
Emma Picton-Jones, Wales team captain and founder of farm charity the DPJ Foundation, said the campaign was a fantastic way to get through January.
© Emma Picton-Jones
“It was a different experience this year with life a bit busier now compared to last year with the lockdowns,” she said.
“But it has reminded me this is a massive campaign that is important to so many people, everyone was keen to take part and it is really great to be part of something which is raising awareness about mental health.”
Potentially the most uncomfortable 1.75 miles ever. I have the upmost respect for you @welliesnwhiskey and everyone else who has taken part in @_Run1000 . I’ve not been the most proactive team captain because life took over but I’m proud to have been a part of it 🏴 🏴 🏴 🇮🇪 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/2b6fpyPziV
— Emma (@Emma_Bullhook) January 31, 2022
Sheena Horner, Run 1000 founder and Scotland captain, said: “I can’t get over the enthusiasm for Run 1000 yet again.
“It has been amazing to see the camaraderie between all involved while highlighting rural mental health. Definitely no January blues for me.”