ALL SET FOR SIXTH ANNUAL WELLMEADOW WALKATHON

image credit of Clare McMicking / CraicN Communications.

The sixth annual 24-hour Wellmeadow Walkathon is taking place in Blairgowrie this weekend, raising money for the Happy To Chat Happy To Listen charity – and community groups and those who wish to take part can sign up now.

The popular fundraising event runs from 4pm on Saturday, August 1^st until 4pm on Sunday, August 2^nd and previous Walkathons have seen nearly 200 people from more than 40 groups, organisations and businesses take it in turns to walk around the town centre focal point for a one-hour slot.

As well as raising funds, the event aims to raise awareness of and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health.

Happy To Chat Happy To Listen (H2CH2L) was set up by east Perthshire mum Susan Hart in memory of her son Jordan, who died by suicide just days before his 17th birthday.

Since then, thanks to the support of the local community in Blairgowrie and Rattray and beyond –more than £35,000 has been raised for a series of 57 benches in and around the town, outreach hubs in Blairgowrie and surrounding villages, and the provision of free mental health first aid training sessions.

The Walkathon, outreach hubs and bench trails all provide spaces where people can come together and talk – and listen - helping to reduce social isolation, encouraging people to get out and about, and raising awareness that it’s okay not to be okay.

Susan said: “Mental health and wellbeing should be viewed in the same way that physical health is, not as something that we need to hide or be ashamed of, and we hope that by talking about suicide and mental health it will help reduce the stigma around it and help other people who may be struggling.

“We are so grateful to all the local businesses and groups that have supported us over the years, and hope to see as many people as possible taking part in this year’s Wellmeadow Walkathon once again.”

For more information or to book your slot at the Wellmeadow Walkathon, search for ‘Happy to Chat Happy to Listen’ on Facebook.