Scots need not suffer a dog’s life

A running mascot and its pups have begun a road trip to help encourage Scots to talk about mental health.

The scheme by JogScotland and SAMH will see the black toy dogs travel around 23 groups before World Mental Health Day in October.

The stuffed toys, which represent physical and mental well-being, have been named Sammy, Agnes and Lee and are the ‘offspring’ of original mascot Jog Scotty.

The dogs’ first Fife visit will be to the Anster Allsorts group on July 2 followed by Ready, Steady, Go Pitreavie! on July 9.

They will then travel on to Jog Dalgety Bay followed by STAART in St Andrews.

The toys then head to Forfar Road Runners on July 30 then to Arbroath Road Runners on August 6.

Each dog comes with a toolkit containing ideas for sessions about mental health.

A JogScotland spokesman said: “As well as getting joggers talking, the journey will provide an opportunity to connect neighbouring jogscotland groups as they pass the pups on in person where possible.

“We hope the initiative will help jog groups promote wellbeing to their joggers, make members feel more comfortable talking about mental health, and to let the population of Scotland see that jogscotland and SAMH are working to reduce barriers to participation in physical activity, and challenge stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health.”