We're putting pedal to the metal for Sport in Mind

On Monday 10th October, the team at Berks & Bucks FA will take part in a 12-hour cycle challenge to raise vital funds for Reading based, national charity Sport in Mind, on World Mental Health Day.

Each season, Berks & Bucks FA supports over 80,000 people of all ages and abilities to participate in football, and, with NHS England reporting that one in four adults and one in 10 children will experience mental illness, we understand the importance of acknowledging and supporting everyone’s relationship with their mental health and are keen to promote the benefits of physical activity.

This is why we are excited to have partnered with, Berkshire-based national charity, Sport in Mind, and are proud to be supporting them across the season to help raise the profile of mental health and promote the positive impact sport and physical activity can have in people’s lives, whilst raising vital funds. 

On World Mental Health Day, the team at Berks & Bucks FA will embark on a challenge to cycle 185 miles in 12 hours. 

The number is significant because last year, the office of national statistics registered 185 suicide deaths across local authorities in our region.

Through this challenge we want to help raise awareness of mental health and the support available by promoting the excellent work of Sport in Mind and the physical activity projects they deliver, supported by the NHS, to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation, and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.

Liz Verrall, CEO at Berks & Bucks FA, said; “On World Mental Health day, we are supporting Sport in Mind by cycling 185 miles on a stationary bike, 185 is significant because it represents the number of lives lost to suicide across Berks & Bucks in 2021.

“This is not just about suicide, this about encouraging people to check in with just one friend or colleague, that conversation may make all the difference.  Berks & Bucks FA have an opportunity and a responsibility to use the power of our sport to reach as many people as possible with important health messages such as this.”

We need your support.

Every penny we raise through this challenge (and across the season) will go directly to Sport in Mind. 

To date, they have supported the recovery of over 15,000 people through their physical activity programmes, and the money you raise will help support them to them reach more people and providing more programmes for adults and children across our region and beyond.

Neil Harris, Sport in Mind CEO, said: “Your support helps raise awareness of the important role that sport and physical activity can play in looking after our mental health, and the funds the challenge raises will enable Sport in Mind to transform the lives of more people struggling with their mental health through our sports and activity programmes. I am delighted that the Berks and Bucks FA have chosen to support Sport in Mind and together we can really bring home the vital role sport and physical activity can play in improving the lives of people suffering with mental health problems, across this region and beyond. Thank you!”

To show your support and donate to Sport in Mind, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bbfa-sim

Donate via our Sport in Mind Just Giving page