Pete Thompson

Why mental health?

Mental health is such an important issue within society and the cause Pete set out to support on his recent running challenges. Pete knows many people who have serious mental health issues. Some have tried to take their own lives and others battle through with determination and courage that he admires greatly. He has seen people at their lowest, the stigma they face and the lack of support when they need it most.

The mental health focus started and is still very much for these people. It has however also helped Pete to understand my own mental health better in a way that it is important for us all to try and do. 

By talking more openly about mental health, engaging within discussions or simply listening to others, you develop understanding and importantly help to educate. You also learn how to improve or better manage your mental health as individuals, and about the severity and crippling effects that people suffering with mental illness can experience on a daily basis.

The challenges have so far raised over £50,000 (including gift aid) for mental health charities, Mind, Livability and Dorset Mind. They have been also lucky enough to win a regional Pride of Britain and Laureus Sporting Moment of the month award for there fundraising efforts.

Find out more about the amazing work they do below and donations can still be made on the link above.

Money raised for Livability from Marathons for the Mind will go towards Livabilty’s ‘Flourish’ project at their wellbeing discovery centre in Dorset. ‘Livability Holton Lee’ is set in 350 acres of beautiful Dorset countryside. From gardening therapy, arts and ceramics, bird watching, walking and accessible camping, visitors can benefit from an inclusive and supportive community. The centre is part of the national charity Livability – the disability charity that connects people with their communities.

The Flourish Programme

Holton Lee run 'Flourish' - a gardening therapy programme for people living with mental health and disability. People learn new skills, build confidence, make new friends and have fun. 98% of people that attended Flourish in a year reported an increase in skills and social connections.    

What they do

MIND provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. MIND campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. 

Their strategy

Because of MIND, millions more people have access to advice and support thanks to our information and services nationally and locally, in England and Wales. We're building on change, but we know there is much more to do. 

Their achievements

Over more than 60 years MIND has worked to improve the lives of all people with experience of mental health problems. Through public campaigns, government lobbying and more that 1,000 services their local minds have delivered in communities across England and Wales. They have touched millions of lives.  

Local Minds

Local minds support over 375,000 people across England and Wales. Their services include supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling and befriending.

Mission Statement

We will raise awareness within general and specific communities about mental ill health. That’s to say, it will EDUCATE people about symptoms – what they are, what to expect and how to spot them. They will educate people about what they can do when they experience symptoms either themselves or someone they know.

We will CHALLENGE the stigma and inequality of mental ill health so that neither prevents people receive the information and support they need.

We will PROMOTE the ethos of RECOVERY from mental ill health by educating people about recovery. They also provide responsive and safe support services for all communities to assist them in their own recovery.