Harrogate charity issues 'One-day Lockdown Challenge'

Wellspring Therapy & Training, based in Starbeck High Street, has had 17 years’ experience of providing professional, affordable counselling and support to people in emotional distress but it says the lockdown is creating new challenges.

Now, inspired by 13-year-old Joe Lepine, who raised £2,000 for Wellspring by staying awake for 24 hours, it is launching its One-day Lockdown Challenge.

The Harrogate charity's executive director Emily Fullarton said: "A recent survey by the Office of National Statistics tellingly revealed that people in lockdown are more worried about their mental wellbeing than their general health.

“With fundraising events cancelled and our overall capacity reduced, we need your help now, more than ever, to provide life-saving support to people with mental health issues.

“We were already annually supporting over 700 children, young people and adults, suffering from emotional distress.

"Sadly many more local people will suffer from poor mental health, as an outcome of the difficulties they face in this time of lockdown.

“These worries include loss of loved ones, anxiety, damaging home life situations, financial challenges, uncertainty and depression. "

As a result Wellspring has launched a new One-Day Lockdown Challenge.

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What is the One-Day Lockdown Challenge?

Wellspring charity is asking members of the public to:

Stay home and stay awake for 24 hours.

Give up something unhealthy for 24 hours – whether it’s alcohol, sugary snacks, comfort food or TV.

Walk, run, do star jumps. Staying physically fit also keeps us mentally well.

Could you do 100 star-jumps every hour of the day? Or walk or run for six, 12 or 24 hours in your garden or round your neighbourhood in the space of one week?

But please remember to follow government guidelines.

Or get creative and come up with your own one-day lockdown challenge for six, 12 or 24 hours.

Wellspring Therapy & Training's executive director Emily Fullarton said: “It only takes a few mins to set up a Facebook Fundraiser or Virgin Money Giving page.

"Don’t think you can do it? Be inspired by young Joe’s story. Joe set out to raise £200 for Wellspring by staying awake for 24 hours. Due to his friends’ and family’s generosity, he actually raised over £2000”.

“Meanwhile, another Wellspring supporter Sarah James, her husband and two daughters completed a six-hour karaoke marathon last week raising £750.

“If you can help, thank you so much for helping us to support those struggling in our community. Together we can bring hope and healing to many.”

How to support Wellspring Therapy & Training

If you simply want to support others, follow Wellspring Therapy & Training on Facebook to hear all about people taking on the lockdown challenge and support them through the donate button, or click to a blog on our website www.wellspringtherapy.co.uk.

To donate to Wellspring's general COVID-19 fund, please text WSHOPE to 70085 to donate £5.

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