Water way to help a good cause
BURTON SUP (stand up paddleboard) team smashed its target and raised £3,315.00 for mental health charity Burton & District Mind, completing a 210-mile challenge.
A team of eight from Russell Roof Tiles paddled the distance, (which is the same mileage as between the Russell Roof Tiles Burton and Lochmaben sites), between March and June.
The team included three complete beginners, and was made up of staff, or partners of staff, at the roofing firm. The team broke their £2,000 target.
The challenge was the brainchild of managing director’s wife Coral Hayward. She said: “Having suffered with my own mental health issues, I learned to ‘SUP’ with Burton-uponsup 12 months ago to continue mindfulness, supporting this charity has meant a lot to me personally.
“So, from an idea eight months ago to achieving a 210-mile charity paddle is an incredible achievement for me and the team, not forgetting three of our paddlers who had never tried it 12 weeks ago.
“Knowing we will help Mind deliver 150 holistic therapy sessions with our Russell Roof Tile donation has been a humbling experience and one our local community will benefit from. The statistics prove more funding is needed and I sincerely we can make a difference to those that need help and support.”
The team comprised Coral Hayward, Michael Palmer, John Dervey, Otto Mathiesen, Athenais Hill, Daniel Hancox, Chris Bailey and Kathryn Greenwood.
The team paddled the waterways locally for Burton & District Mind which provides a range of highquality counselling services, supported by mindfulness, eco-therapy, workplace health, peer support and employability & tenancy services. Typically, they see 3000 people a year, but in 2022, they will need to support many more.
Lynne Barrell, Chief Officer from Burton & District Mind, said she was “overwhelmed” with the SUP team’s effort. She said: “Since the paddleboarders took to the river in March 2022, we have provided 2,450 counselling sessions, 150 holistic and mindfulness sessions, 180 peer support sessions and have supported at least 400 people over the phone who have enquired about our support or what to do in mental distress!
“It’s not enough. Our team needs to grow and the support we provide has to reach deeper into the community.
The funding will support 12 weeks of holistic therapy, providing 150 sessions to some of the most vulnerable people in the community with massage and group mindfulness sessions, which are particularly helpful in supporting people who perhaps aren’t ready for counselling or who have benefitted but something to remind them how to manage stress.
The team was trained by Dawn Smitten, instructor and owner of Burton SUP.