Runners dress up for a run

World Mental Health day marked

A West Lothian running club took to the streets in fancy dress on Monday night to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day.

Me m b e r s o f Run Livingston dressed up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, nuns and ScoobyDoo to name but a few, as they ran to raise awareness for the charity Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).

The group, which has about 45 members, is part of Jogscotland which is partnered with the charity.

Ailsa McCorquodale, jog leader of Run Livingston, said: “I am very proud of our very supportive and inclusive group, there is a real community spirit amongst all our members and everyone encourages everyone throughout training.

“Jogscotland is partnered with SAMH and we strive to highlight the benefits an active and healthy lifestyle can have on your mental health.

“For World Ment a l Health Day on October 10 we decided to celebrate by wearing fancy dress to our training session, hopefully raising awareness of mental health issues and also raising some smiles along the way.”

Earlier this year the SAMH, and their ambassador Sir Chris Hoy, called on sporting organisations to take action and sign up to Scotland’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport.

Speaking in August, Sir Chris Hoy said: “Everyone should have the chance to get active and learn to use physical activity and sport to help live a happier, healthier life and we need to ensure funding is in place to deliver initiatives to support this.

“I myself have truly benefitted from the positive impact of physical activity and there should never be barriers to prevent anyone from getting active.

“SAMH is leading the way in Scotland ensuring sporting organisations and groups recognise the power of physical activity and encourage everyone to take part in their activities no matter who they are or what their personal struggle may be.”