Health commissioners run to raise funds for local mental health charity
Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Mark Hayes, and staff from NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are pulling on their running shoes this Sunday to raise funds in aid of local mental health charity York Mind.
The team of runners at the CCG have had plenty of support from Edgar the Elephant, York Mind’s legendary mascot, whilst training in preparation for Sunday’s 10km race.
York Mind promotes emotional well-being and independent living and aims to empower individuals to start on the pathway to recovery from mental ill-health.
Dr Mark Hayes, Chief Clinical Officer of NHS Vale of York CCG, said: “As the organisation responsible for commissioning the vast majority of healthcare services across the Vale of York, we understand that there is no health without mental health.
“With so many exciting developments and possibilities happening around mental health locally we wanted to reflect this in our choice of charity and praise the fantastic work that York Mind carries out in our community.
“With one in four people experiencing mental ill-health at some point in their life time, you’d think it was a subject that more people talked about. Unfortunately, to many, mental health is still very much ‘the elephant in the room’.
Dr Hayes added: “The CCG has recently asked the local community to tell us what a great mental health service could look like in York. These conversations will continue throughout the coming months and will be used to help us to commission services that local people want and need. I encourage everyone to get involved in these discussions if they can.”
Holly Pollard, Community Fundraiser for York Mind, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected as the CCG’s charity at this year’s Run For All York 10km race.
“As an independent charity, we rely heavily on the generosity of the community and other organisations to be able to continue our face to face work with people experiencing mental ill-health in York and the surrounding area.
“This support really will make a difference to those who need our help. It is inspiring that two organisations with the same aim, of improving the lives of local people, can come together to raise much needed funds and to complete the challenge of the 10km as one team.
“We will be there cheering on all the runners at the starting and finishing lines. I wish them good luck and send a massive thank you on behalf of everyone at York Mind.”
The race kicks off from the Knavesmire at 9.30am before taking a tour past York Minster, Clifford's Tower, the city walls and the Shambles.
To sponsor the CCG team please visit the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/NHSVOYCCG/.
