It was a bright and early start for the team members on Sunday, with the half marathon starting at 8.30am and the 10k at 8.35am. The courses took a stunning route along Worthing seafront from the Pier to Ferring and for those running the half marathon partly through Worthing town centre.
The West Sussex Mind staff team consisted of: Alyson Bayley, mental health support worker (Aly ran the half marathon); Alison Edwards, parental support worker (Alison also ran the half); Kiran Wallace, former communications and fundraising intern (Kiran ran the 10k); and Julie Bailey, communications officer (Julie also ran the 10k).
They decided to enter Runfest back in February and set up a joint fundraising page to encourage family and friends to donate to West Sussex Mind. They wanted to use the event and their fundraising to raise awareness about mental health and about the important work of the charity they work for, while challenging themselves to do something outside their comfort zone.
For both Aly and Alison, it was the first time they had run a half marathon and they both smashed it, running the distance in just over two hours and ten minutes. A truly amazing achievement!
“It’s great to have staff members committed to our important work supporting local people who are struggling,” said Debbie Watkins, communications and fundraising manager at West Sussex Mind. “Huge thanks to the team for taking on this challenge and raising valuable funds for us.”
“It was great fun!” said Aly. “Well done to our team and to everyone who took part. There were some really amazing runners out there today.”
Our runners celebrated with a well-earned glass of Prosecco afterwards courtesy of the organisers.
The team's Just Giving page is still open for donations. If you would like to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/team/westsussexmind