A group of final year BSc Sport Management students at Northumbria University, are certainly not letting the pandemic get in the way of keeping active! As part of their Sport Event Management module, the keen students have come up with a fundraising challenge to raise funds for Sporting Wellness. They hope hundreds will participate in the challenges, while promoting an active and healthy lifestyle at the same time.
Northern Gold Fundraisers at Newcastle Quayside
On behalf of the group, which they have badged as Northern Gold Events, Sophie Hoyle said: “Planning an event during a pandemic is a challenge, but we know that people want the escape provided by sport now more than ever. Northern Gold Events aims to inspire people to participate in an individual online 1, 3 or 5k challenge, where they can walk, jog or run to enter. As all the members of Northern Gold Events are sportspeople themselves, who participate in a range of sports, including Rugby, Water Polo, Netball and Athletics, we know the physical and mental health benefits that taking part offers, something we’ve all really missed. We decided to reach out to Sporting Wellness, with an idea aimed at encouraging exercise in lockdown and highlighting the importance of mental wellbeing. We believe our partnership will benefit the participants by raising awareness of the importance of good mental health and to signpost to support available too.”
Sophie Hoyle, with Sporting Wellness T Shirt prize
The event is aiming to be inclusive for all abilities ranging from beginners to elite. By taking part in Northern Gold’s event and following two simple steps, each participant will automatically be entered into a raffle with the opportunity to win a range of prizes, including Sporting Minds T Shirts. Participants can take part in the challenge anytime between the 1st and 8th April.
The two easy steps to enter are:
1. Run and track your distance through any smartphone app! They recommend: Strava, Nike Run, MyfitnessPal, Fitbit or Apple!
2. Make a minimum donation of £2 through JustGiving to us their chosen charity here:
Northern Gold at Just Giving
The team will also be doing live streams, IGTV’s and stories via Instagram.
At a time when Sporting Wellness has seen a significant increase in young sportspeople reaching out for their mental health support, now more than ever, fundraising such as that which the Northern Gold team are organising is a crucial part of our future.
Callum Lea, our Founder, said “What the Northern Gold team of Uni friends are doing for us is just fantastic and very much welcomed. It’s a fact that those with existing mental health conditions are struggling more than usual, while many who have never experienced mental health issues before are experiencing anxieties for the first time. We know this from the increasing calls for support we have received from young sportspeople over the last year. And encouraging the wider community to participate in some feel good exercise is an added benefit. Funds raised really will help us to help others.”
We wish everyone taking part in the North East all the very best of luck!
Pictured are the team, socially distanced, at Newcastle Quayside, getting ready for the #Beat the Blues 5K challenge, and Sophie Hoyle with a T Shirt prize.