‘Spring into Action’, the fundraising campaign from Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, is continuing to raise money to help communities across the Black Country this Mental Health Awareness Week.
The appeal, from Black Country Brighter Lives which is the charitable arm of BCHFT, is calling on people across the Black Country to be fundraising heroes this Spring by taking on a fundraising challenge of their choosing to support patients and staff at the Trust.
Donations from generous supporters of the charity make a real difference to the experiences of patients, families and carers. Previous projects supported by the Trust charity include the creation of a choir for people living with dementia; therapeutic gardening activities for people being supported for their mental health and gifting Christmas presents for people spending the festive season in hospital.
It comes as Mental Health Awareness Week, which takes place 13-19 May, is this year highlighting the importance of movement to promote good mental wellbeing.
As well as benefitting mental and physical health, fitness challenges are a fun way to fundraise for a good cause. Staff across BCHFT have been springing into action to take on physical fundraising challenges, from the London Marathon to triathlons.
Yvonne Tolladay, who works as a Deputy Manager for Archive Record Services at BCHFT, is marking the milestone of her 60th birthday by taking on a triathlon to raise money for the Spring into Action appeal.
She will cycle, run and swim at the Cheshire UK Triathlon on Sunday 19 May, which is also her very first triathlon.
Yvonne said: “Every time it’s a special birthday I like to do a challenge, so with my 60th birthday coming up I thought I would do a triathlon as I haven’t done one before.
“Training has been a lot more difficult than I expected, but I have had swimming training to work on my technique and started doing Park Runs to get back into running.
“I’ve been training since January and have really enjoyed the challenge but I’m glad it’s here now!”
As well as raising money for a good cause, Yvonne has found getting active for the challenge to be beneficial for her mental wellbeing.
She explained: “The exercise has definitely benefitted me, even if it just a little walk, getting active is a great way of getting rid of stress. I definitely promote getting out for improving your mental state. Find something you love doing and get a buddy to do it with.”
Yvonne, who works at Penn Hospital, is taking on the challenge with a group of friends from the gym who have been a source of motivation and support.
She has chosen to support the Spring into Action campaign as it works with the community and supports the NHS, where she has worked for over 40 years.
Yvonne added: “I like to put back into local causes to make a difference on the ground. I love working for the NHS and can see what an impact services make on the lives of people in the Black Country.”
To donate to Yvonne’s appeal, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/yvonne-tolladay-1712586341651