Teesside mental health support charity starts its 'Steptember' fundraiser
Red Balloons in Stockton says they're raising money in order to cope with demand of their services
A Teesside mental health support charity's urging people to boost their physical and mental wellbeing by getting active.
Red Balloons are calling on participants of their fundraiser to do a minimum of 10,000 steps each day this month whilst raising money.
The Stockton-based charity says 'Steptember' is essential in raising money in order to cope with demand of their services.
Leigh Trimble is from there and said: "Your everyday steps count so it's not a case of you have to go and do 10,000 steps a day of doing exercise; it's actually walking to the shops, any walking you do at work up the stairs, or walking to work, walking the dog, doing the school run. And once people start actually logging their steps every day, they'll probably be surprised with how many they do some days.
"We look at lots of different ways of raising funds. Obviously we apply for grant funding and that's getting more difficult. You know there's less money to go around and there's more competition when you're applying for grants because you know there's never just a pot of money that never ends, so it's more difficult to get grant funding so we do have to look at other ways and we do have to diversify.
"What I'm hoping is that it's a stepping stone for some people to becoming more active as well. It was for me when I did my first challenge in 2020, just after I'd lost my mum. It set me off on a trajectory and I now run ultra marathons. I'm not suggesting that that'll happen to everybody but for me it was a massive boost. It helps me get through grieving.
"If you're boosting your physical health it's going to have a positive impact on your mental health but we see day in day out the difference that being active makes to people and if you set off to go out for a walk you're never going to come back feeling worse than when you set off.
"It's such a simple thing to do but it can have a massive impact. At the end of the month, if you take on the challenge, you will be fitter. You absolutely will be fitter. You know, your heart will be stronger, your lungs will be stronger, your blood pressure will be lower and there'll be all sorts of reactions going on in your body and your muscles and everywhere to give you more energy."
Anyone who wants to take part and sign up to get a t-shirt and medal after can email Red Balloons or get in touch via their social media.