Running With Charity In ‘Mind’

Press release published on 15 March 2006 by Scarborough Building Society

Bridlington woman, Jane Powell, is stretching out and training up for this year’s Edinburgh marathon, raising money for the charities MIND and Saneline with a little help from Scarborough Building Society.

And when Jane set up a savings account to keep her sponsorship fund at the Society, she was rewarded with £5 from each member of staff straightaway. She then applied to the Scarborough’s sponsorship & donations committee and was awarded £100 towards her goal of raising £600.

Liz Young, Scarborough Building Society Branch Manager for Bridlington, said: “We are really pleased to be able to help Jane in this worthy cause and our staff were more than happy to sponsor her personally – every penny counts.”

For Jane, running this marathon is also about raising awareness of mental illness within the community, trying to demystify and reduce the stigma surrounding it and the people who suffer from it.

Jane said: “Mental illness is still shrouded in secrecy, leaving families, friends and sufferers often helpless and isolated. I am running to raise money specifically for MIND and Saneline, which offers a helpline for these people. Saneline relies solely on charitable donations and has recently had to reduce its operating hours due to lack of funds.

“The helpline receives up to 1,000 calls a week and offers information, care and support to anybody affected by mental health problems. It’s really important that this vital service receives all the funding it can, and I am really pleased that local businesses like the Scarborough have stepped up and sponsored me.”

If you would also like to sponsor Jane, please drop into the Scarborough Building Society branch in Bridlington, where staff will be happy to accept sponsorship money on her behalf.

The Bridlington branch of Mind is located in the Community Resource Centre on Victoria Road, offering - amongst other things - a drop in centre and free and confidential appointments. If you feel that you could benefit from the help of Saneline, call 0845 767 8000.

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