Heathfield Community College raises funds for mental health

The whole College community came together on Friday 18 October for their inaugural Sponsored Walk and Run.

Students from all year groups ran and walked the route joined by both teaching and support staff; Radio Heathfield provided a musical backdrop as students departed and returned to the College site and VI formers generously gave their time to marshal the course as did the prefects from Heffle House, who promoted the event amongst the wider student body.

The owners of Heathfield Park kindly allowed students and staff to complete a 3.6km route that started from the College and followed a beautiful trail through Heathfield Park with some spectacular scenery and an abundance of wildlife to spot as students wound their way around the park.

Raising funds for Mind and the college’s mental health support provision

The event was held in aid of positive mental health and well-being. The amount of sponsorship raised, even before the walk/run had been held, was a phenomenal £5500 – this has already increased to OVER £6000! The total raised will be equally split between the national charity Mind and the College’s own provision for supporting student well-being.

Apart from the walkers, which included VI formers sporting some fantastically pink attire in aid of Think Pink, many students chose to run the route. The fastest time of the day was set by George, in Year 8, who completed the route in a rapid 12 minutes 11 seconds.

Prefects took a leadership role in making sure the event was a success. Prefects created promotional material and visited tutor groups to promote the event. Our well-being champions, Alice and Nathan, launched the event in assemblies in early September.

The College is particularly thankful to the parents, friends and community who supported and donated. In particular to local company Mercator Digital (care of founder and CEO Marc Churchouse) who have generously agreed to match fund the money students raised for the College and so have doubled the impact that can be made with our young people. This will provide even more opportunity for resources to support positive mental health interventions, workshops with a well-being coach and access to the Stepping Stones programme (noted and recognised MHWB programme delivered by external experts).

Further details, images and quotes can be found on our latest news pages: https://www.heathfieldcc.co.uk/?p=2821783