Scotland’s national mental health charity is calling on supporters to put their best foot forward and raise vital funds for life-saving mental health support with the return of an iconic event.
SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) is encouraging people across Scotland to get involved in the revival of SAMH Stomp: a stair-climbing challenge where every penny raised makes a difference.
Returning after a six-year hiatus, the event will see SAMH and its supporters take over Barclays Hampden on Saturday 10 October 2026, which marks World Mental Health Day.
Registrations open today, with participants choosing to complete either a single or double lap of the steps in the stadium, totalling 4,968 stairs – or a whopping 9,936 stairs!
As the last Stomp was held virtually due to the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, this year’s event marks an opportunity to bring together mental health supporters from across the country for a fundraiser full of energy and hope.
Allie Bowen, a SAMH supporter from Dundee who took part in the most recent Stomp, said the sense of community was a key motivator to get involved: “2019 was one of the hardest times in my life, I lost my partner and his mum just a month apart. Taking part in SAMH Stomp helped me turn that grief into something meaningful and showed me I wasn’t alone.
“During lockdown in 2020, being unable to see loved ones was heartbreaking – and it made me realise just how vital mental health support really is. That’s why I’ve continued supporting SAMH, raising around £6,000 in total and helping spread awareness.
“That’s also why people should take part in SAMH Stomp 2026, because every step makes a difference, for yourself and for others who need to know they’re not alone.”
SAMH operates around 70 services in communities across Scotland, from supported accommodation and care-at-home services, to suicide prevention training and employability support.
This includes Time for You, which offers free wellbeing coaching or counselling via phone or video call, and The Nook: Scotland’s first national network of walk-in mental health and wellbeing support hubs.
The first Nook is now open in Glasgow’s Merchant City, with The Nook in Aberdeen to open this summer, with three more to follow across the country.
Hazel McIlwraith, Director of Fundraising and Major Appeal, said: “We want everyone to get behind the return of SAMH Stomp. You don’t need to be an elite athlete to take part – our strength is in our numbers. Every step, every cheer, and every stomp echoes far beyond the stands of Scotland’s most iconic stadium, raising vital funds and awareness for mental health support across the country.
“This is our first big public event since the pandemic, so as well as being a fantastic opportunity to fundraise it’s also a chance for us all to get together to show our support and make our voices heard.
“Gather your friends, family and workmates, or come along as you are, and join Team SAMH as we step up the pace in our mission for a Scotland where anyone can ask once and get help fast.”
Find out more and register at: www.samh.org.uk/stomp