On July 8th, led by Former England Rugby International Ikram Butt, we're taking on the The British 10k Run to support The British Asian Trust in bring positive change to those affected by Mental Health.

Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2009, the trust serves as a ‘social fund’ to support high impact charities within the areas of education, enterprise and health in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK

Alarmed by the lack of mental health services in Pakistan, the trust recently launched a new initiative introducing community-based care to enable mentally ill people to live and work successfully in their own towns and villages.

In partnership with UK-based charity Basic Needs and Pakistan’s Aman Foundation, the Trust has entered the mental health arena in the country following months of planning and research. Basic Needs' pioneering, low-cost, community-based model is already making great strides in 10 countries.

Estimates show that one in five families in Pakistan struggle with a mental health problem and those who suffer from it are often abandoned or hidden away with no hope for a future.

"Huge barriers exist for the mentally ill and their families in Pakistan and it is only through initiatives like this, that we CAN break them down. Mental health is a right, not a privilege - we must help!"
Ikram Butt, Former England Rugby International and British Asian Trust Ambassador

“Mental health is a major health problem that is on the rise globally. In Pakistan, like in many less developed countries, there is a huge stigma attached to mental health and the resultant denial of it perpetuates its neglect”.
Arif Naqvi, Founder of The Aman Foundation, Pakistan.

“This is a country with a huge future, The people are dynamic and positive in the face of great difficulty. There is a real chance to do something in this sector over the next five years and beyond"
Chris Underhill, Founder Director of Basic Needs' International.