Farmers to lace up their trainers in mental health fundraising bid

Farmers have been encouraged to lace up their trainers and get involved with mental health fundraiser, Run1000. From January 1 to January 31 2022, people can walk or run any distance for their country's team to raise money for Royal Scotland Agricultural Benevolent Institution, DPJ Foundation, Embrace Farm, You Are Not Alone, Farmstrong New Zealand, Farming Community Network, The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust and Vetlife. Open to everyone, registration will cost £20 and all activity will be recorded via fitness app Strava to ensure every step is counted. The initiative was launched last October by founder and BFA's Farming Hero 2021 winner Sheena Horner to co-incide with #AgMentalHealthWeek and tasked the devolved nations and one representing the rest of the world to run 1,000 miles. It saw 1,200 participants get involved in January 2021 and raised £51,545 for charity. Ms Horner said: "Rural mental health affects us all but we do not always realise it nor appreciate that we are not alone. "In rural areas many of us are working in isolation or live in remote areas that can result in little contact with the outside world."I wanted to create a community that could support each other, regardless of where they are based, whilst having a little fun and raising money for charity."With the pandemic impacting so many charities and their ability to organise events or fundraisers, we are hoping to get more people involved than ever this year and give something back to the organisations that support so many in their time of need." Ms Horner added Run1000 was flexible and open to all levels of fitness and experience. "If you enjoy running or walking and want to support and raise awareness of rural mental health, why not sign up to your team and help banish those January blues," Ms Horner said. "It is not about the distance you can cover but about taking part and raising awareness of rural mental health." Register at https://www.run1000.orgCaptains Team England - farmer and keen runner Richard Heady learnt first-hand the merits of getting out in the fresh air when he started running just five years ago to help give his mind a new focus.Team Wales - founder of Welsh mental health charity, DPJ Foundation, Emma Picton Jones will lead her team for the second year after winning in 2021, with 24,397 miles.Team Scotland - Sheena Horner took up running when lockdown started to impact her own mental health and she participated in a park run, which soon led to the idea of Run1000.Team Ireland - dairy farmer Peter Hynes is founder of #AgMentalHealthWeek, ambassador for Tackle Your Feelings and depression survivor.Team New Zealand - Born in Wales and now farming on the other side of the world, farmer Sam Owen has faced his own battles with mental health and found a strong support network essential for supporting him.