Northern Gold’s #Beat the Blues 5K challenge raising funds for mental health charity

A group of final year BSc Sport Management students at Northumbria University, have created a fundraising challenge, as part of their Sport Event Management module. The challenge is open to anyone, and is aiming to promote an active and healthy lifestyle, whilst raising money for Sporting Minds UK.

On behalf of the group, which they have badged as Northern Gold Events, Sophie Hoyle said: “Planning an event during a pandemic is a challenge, but we know that people want the escape provided by sport now more than ever. Northern Gold Events aims to inspire people to participate in an individual online 1, 3 or 5k challenge, where they can walk, jog or run to enter. As all the members of Northern Gold Events are athletes themselves, who participate in a range of sports, including Rugby, Water Polo, Netball and Athletics, we know the physical and mental health benefits that taking part offers, something we’ve all really missed. We decided to reach out to Sporting Minds UK, with an idea aimed at encouraging exercise in lockdown and highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing. We believe our partnership will benefit the participants by raising awareness of the importance of good mental health and to signpost to support available too.”

The event is aiming to be inclusive for all abilities ranging from beginners to elite. By taking part in Northern Gold’s event and following two simple steps, each participant will automatically be entered into a raffle with the opportunity to win a range of prizes, including Sporting Minds T Shirts.

Participants can take part in the challenge anytime between the 1st and 8th April, and to enter you need to:

1. Run and track your distance through any smartphone app! we recommend: Strava, Nike Run, MyfitnessPal, Fitbit or Apple.

2. Make a minimum donation of £2 through JustGiving to our chosen charity Sporting Minds UK, by clicking here.

Sporting Minds UK aims to raise awareness and provide support for positive mental health in sports people aged 16 to 30. The charity also provides and funds direct one to one mental health support for young sports people. To find out more about Sporting Minds UK, click here.

Callum Lea, the 20 year old Founder of Sporting Minds UK said "What the Northern Gold team of Uni friends are doing for us is just fantastic and very much welcomed. It's a fact that those with existing mental health conditions are struggling more than usual, while many who have never experienced mental health issues before are experiencing anxieties for the first time. We know this from the increasing calls for support we have received from young sportspeople over the last year. And encouraging the wider community to participate in some feel good exercise is an added benefit. Funds raised really will help us to help others.”

You can keep up to date with the challenge on Instagram, @northerngoldsport where the team will be doing live streams, IGTV's and stories.