South East and Central Essex Minds 3rd Annual Mental Elf Run 2020 is coming to you with a twist! This year, we have been unable to go ahead with a physical event due to Covid-19 restrictions. Instead, we are excited to announce that Mental Elf 2020 is going virtual!

As a Local Mind, we cover a boundary of roughly 54 miles around the South East and central Essex area. We thought this distance was a great way to help represent our mission! We are an independent local mental health charity. We are affiliated with National Mind but do not receive any funding from them or the government. We rely on fundraising in order to run our vital local services. Our charity provides mental health services and training across Southend-on Sea, Castlepoint, Chelmsford, Rochford, and South Woodham Ferrers. Our mission is to help anyone in our community in need of mental health support.

Your Mental Elf Challenge:

We are asking you to pledge to complete 54 Miles for SECE Mind Mental Elf 2020, whether that is by running, skipping, walking, hopping, swimming, or in a more unique way! You can do it solo and rack up the miles, or join friends, family, or colleagues to make it a team challenge. You could even join in as a school!

This years event will run from the 1st December until the 24th December, allowing you to take part in any place, at any time during that span - it's completely up to you.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - Just because weve gone virtual, doesnt mean you cant put on your Elfie Outfit!

We would love to keep the spirit of our Mental Elf event going, so get ready to dig out those Christmas outfits. Help spread some Christmas joy and share your elfie selfies whilst youre out. (Dont worry, you can also just wear normal activewear during your runs!)

Need a little incentive to get dressed up?

We will be setting up Elf Checks on Saturdays throughout December in Chelmsford, Southend and Rayleigh. We will be taking donations and offering goodies for anyone who runs to us in their festive gear!

How To Take Part:

1. Make your pledge! Sign up to your Mental Elf Pledge with a £7.00 donation in exchange for our digital Mental Elf Fundraising Guide. Make your pledge HERE - https://www.seandcessexmind.org.uk/buyagift

2. Decide how you want to take on the 54 miles do it as a solo challenge or team up with your school, work colleagues, or friends and family. Then decide how you will cover the 54 miles you dont need to cover any particular route and dont have to do it in any given time frame. Dont fancy this distance? Try 5.4 miles or set your own distance challenge for December.

3. Set up your own Fundraising Page via JustGiving www.justgiving.com/campaign/mentalelf2020

Then share your page with your friends and family on social media - remember to show your elfy outings and celebrate your milestones!

4. Complete the distance of 54 miles! Tell everyone about it by posting a video or photo of you, tagging us in social media and using the hashtag #MentalElf2020

5. Dont forget - We will be having Elf Check Points where you can meet us for an Elf and Safety check-in around the SECE Mind boundaries on Saturday 5th/12th/19th December. (We will be sending out clues to help you find SECE Minds Elves!)

1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health issue. During this difficult year and these unprecedented times, taking care of mental health has become even more of a priority. Together we can help raise awareness and funds to continue and improve our work and reach more people in need in our community. Every penny you raise helps to make a difference, thank you.

South East and Central Essex Minds vision is mental wellbeing for all: we want everyone in our part of Essex to be aware of and know how to improve their wellbeing. Regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety. An active lifestyle not only keeps our bodies healthy, but it makes us feel good too! By taking part in the Mental Elf 2020, you can boost your own wellbeing as well as helping others across South East Essex.

So please help us rack up those miles and help SECE MIND reach the borders of South East and Central Essex area. Together we can raise mental health awareness and vital funds for your local mental health services. Thank you!