Charity in bid for 5k to help with fund-raising

MENTAL health charity Lamp has launched its annual 5k challenge ahead of the park run finale in May.

It is seeking 5,000 people to take part in its 5k Your Challenge, Your Choice campaign.

The campaign encourages people of all abilities to take on the challenge of raising £50 each by taking part in any activity.

So far, it has had people sign up to complete a “five hot wings challenge” and thrill seekers pledging to jump out of planes.

The campaign ends in May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, from May 13 to 19, as well as a Leicester 5k run at Victoria Park with Lamp ambassador Greg Hollingsworth.

The completion of 5,000 small challenges each raising £50 could raise £250,000 for Lamp.

The annual event began in 2021, gaining support from fund-raising champions all over the world.

Last year, participants tracked their progress through the Strava app, seeing people from as far as India and the US taking part.

In previous years, participants were challenged to complete a distance of 5k by swimming, running or cycling.

Now, people are encouraged to use their imagination and take part in small challenges to raise money and mental health awareness.

Liam Deacy, chief operating officer at Lamp, said: “Ideally, we would love to have 5,000 people taking part, doing a small challenge each to raise £50.

“If we reach that target, it could result in £250,000 raised.

“That will allow us to see 333 people from the start to the end of their mental health journey as it costs an average of £750 to help each person overall.

“The team is so proud of the work everyone put in last year.

“This year, we hope to drum up even more awareness now we have expanded the possibilities of the Lamp 5k challenge.

“Now we have extended the time period that people can get involved, I’m keen to see more people taking part all over the world over the next five months completing 5k in their own way.”

To sign up and download the Lamp 5k pack, visit: