An admin assistant at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is aiming to run at least 100km this month in aid of charity.
Sara Rothwell, 26 from Thornton-Cleveleys, is walking and running to complete the distance by the end of June around her local area to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity.
She said: “I came up with the idea after having some struggles of my own during lockdown.
“I am sure that I am not the only one who is finding the current circumstances we are in to be difficult. It is very important that we look after our mental health during this time.
“I believe that 100km will be a big enough challenge but also achievable. I have now completed 54.3km of my target. I think I may actually complete the 100km in the next few days and I am now considering extending my target to 200km if I can get the donations up to £500. There is still two weeks left before the fundraiser closes, it has been an exciting journey so far!”
Sara, who works for the Paediatric Continence Service and Universal Children’s Services, is no stranger to fundraising. She has raised money for Cancer Research UK, and local charities including Trinity Hospice, Brian House and The Albert Project, a local homeless charity who she has previously been a volunteer for. She has chosen to raise money for Mind because of the current situation surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic.
She said: “It is expected that there will be a great strain on mental health services over the coming months, more so than usual. Therefore mental health charities such as Mind will need our help and support going forward.
“With the current restrictions in place due to the Coronavirus people have limited contact with their families and friends which is having a huge impact on their mental health and wellbeing. There are, and will be, a lot of people who rely on mental health charities like Mind for support. Charities such as Mind rely on the good will of others to make donations so they can continue to provide their services.”
Angela Ayoma, a Clinical Nurse Specialist who works with Sara, said:
“We are so proud of Sara running 100km to raise awareness for the charity Mind.
“The work of this charity is so vital for many especially during lockdown and we hope the money raised will enable more families to benefit from their support.
“It looks as if Sara is going to exceed her original hope of running the 100 km which is remarkable and shows her strength of character. We thank Sara for bringing mental health to the forefront of all our minds and as she continues to run we will all continue to support her.”
Sara added: “I have started to run more regularly due to not being able to attend the gym with the lockdown restrictions in place. Running is fairly new to me, but I am really enjoying the experience being outdoors and raising money for a good cause is a wonderful bonus.”
To support in her fundraising mission and keep up to date with her progress, you can visit https://www.facebook.com/donate/2712433272348463/10219711869600464/ and also see her photos of the local views when as she covers the distance.