MP joins charity walk for wards
Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert joined 100 walkers taking part in the second Walk for Wards at Petworth Park on Saturday (20 June).
The event was organised by the charity Heads On to raise money and awareness for wards and services in Sussex. Heads On is Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s charity to help people with mental health problems to feel supported, to stay active and to be more involved in their communities.
The sponsored event raised over £4,500 from the runners and walkers who participated in a choice of 5k or 10k routes around Petworth Park on Saturday morning.
Mr Herbert spoke at the start of the event and thanked the participants before completing the 5k walk himself.
One in four people experience a mental health issue every year. Anxiety and depression are the most common disorders, but the Sussex Partnership supports all forms of mental health and helps patients and carers through the provision of treatment, activities and specialist advice.
The Heads On charity further supports their work with special projects and research.
Rachael Duke, head of fundraising at Heads On said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our wonderful walkers, runners and volunteers whose energy and enthusiasm was inspiring. Every penny they raised will go directly to supporting people with mental health problems when they need us most, by funding special projects across our wards and services above and beyond what the NHS can afford to support.”
Nick Herbert said: “I was delighted to participate in Walk for Wards and help to shine a spotlight on our mental health services which can often be overshadowed in the health debate.
“Good mental healthcare is so important and today has been a wonderful way to show our support. I’d like to thank all the staff of the Sussex Partnership Trust for what they do, and all the walkers and runners for their efforts today. It has been fantastic to see so many people turn out for such a great cause.”
ENDS
Notes
1. Photograph 1 attached – Nick Herbert MP with walkers and runners at the start of the event.
2. For more information about the Heads On charity see http://www.headsoncharity.org/home/index.html
3. For more information about Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust see http://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/.