A duo will undertake a mammoth 24-hour fundraising walk for Change Mental Health’s Stafford Centre service in Edinburgh.
Starting at the service on Edinburgh’s Broughton Street, Joe Sangster and Callum O’Brien will walk an entire day around the Forth estuary, all the way to Kincardine Bridge, to Rosyth, over the Forth Road Bridge then back to Stafford Centre.
Commencing at 12 noon tomorrow (8th October), the pair hope to return to Stafford Centre at the exact same time on 9th October. They are labelling the event as ‘Walk and Talk’, a nod to the fact that 40% of men have never spoken to anyone about their mental health.
Both Joe and Callum hope to raise at least £800, which will pay for some vital upgrades and improvements to Stafford Centre’s café kitchen. The café is an important asset to the centre, tackling social isolation and loneliness, and ensuring people have a space to make connections with access to a hot meal.
Joe Sangster said: “This is going to be a difficult walk, especially through the night with chilly temperatures, but this is ultimately to help the people we support.
“Fundraised income might just be for new refrigerators and appliances, but they keep the service going. It ensures people can have that hot meal in a safe space where they can break down isolation and converse with people facing similar challenges.
“This money is hugely appreciated.”
The two work for Change Mental Health in Stafford Centre, a free drop-in community resource creating a safe environment to help people build supportive networks, while helping people with their mental health.
Through a range of services, Stafford Centre aims to reduce isolation, promote belonging and build resilience, to build skills and confidence while helping people to find their community. As well as the centre’s drop-in, it can support with welfare rights, counselling and outreach – as well as supporting veterans and men experiencing trauma.
Michele Mason, Head of Edinburgh & Lothian Services, said: “The staff team and people we support are with Joe and Callum every step of the way.
“This is an admirable challenge and feat, and it means we can make improvements to Stafford Centre through the money they have raised.
“It’s fundraising challenges and donations like this that help us improve the service, so people can access transformational support in their community.”
