Fun Run

September 22nd 2008

Mental Health - In The Running ………………………………!

On Sunday September 21st 2008, Umbrella – one of London’s leading mental health charities held its 11th Charity Fun Run.

Not as dramatic perhaps as the Olympic Games, but this local and popular charity Fun Run gets better every year with an attendance of over 140 runners and a large number of supporters.

The occasion even had its own film celebratory glamour this year as Cillian Murphy (The Wind that Shakes The Barley, and Batman) entered the 10K run taking in Kenwood House and Highgate Ponds. The event also included a 5K run and a 5K walk.

Comment
“Beautiful route, great day out for a great cause” Cillian Murphy
“Really enjoyed the fun run, thanks to you all for organising it, very well done” Fun Runner,  Andrew Budgen

Through raising money (last year £5,000 was raised), this event supports local people with mental health needs by looking at ways to enhance the quality of their lives, providing funds for educational and training opportunities, social activities and events, as well as for holidays.

The event also aims to promote a more positive attitude towards mental illness, something that affects 1 in 4 people. “Mental illness severe enough to need professional assistance is as common as heart disease and three times as common as cancer”.

You can also order a copy of your own running photo via info@umbrellacare.org.uk

Event Contact Details:
Kathryn Carr, Volunteer Co-ordinator
Umbrella, 354 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7LQ         

Telephone: 020 7239 3381                     
Mobile: 07929 875793
Email: Kcarr@umbrellacare.org.uk

Event Details:
Umbrella’s Annual Fun Run is organised in aid of Umbrella’s Client Opportunities Fund. This supports local people with mental health needs by looking at ways to enhance the quality of their lives, providing funds for educational and training opportunities, social activities and events, as well as for holidays.

Umbrella was set up in 1989 as a registered charity in order to support people with a wide range of mental health needs. Today, as a leading mental health charity, we support over 700 people living across London. Our services include; supported housing, nursing care, community support for people living independently, and vocational and skills development services.  We also run a crisis intervention centre and phone line service in Islington.

The Fun Run is also about raising awareness of mental health issues as well as challenging the stigma and fear too often associated with this illness.

Mental Health - Some Key Facts:

One in four people will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year.

Mental illness severe enough to need professional assistance is as common as heart disease and three times as common as cancer. The government has made mental health one of its three clinical priorities, alongside cancer and heart disease.
     
1 in 4 children who live in inner cities will have significant mental health problems, as compared to 1 in 10 in rural areas.

Around 50% of people with mental health problems have reported discrimination at work, within the family and from friends.

Over 40% of people with mental health problems haven’t told some members of their family and over 70% will not mention it in a job application form.

Only 13% of people with a mental health need are in employment, compared to around 33% of people with other long-term problems.