TWO former rugby league players are joining forces with staff from 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and supporters of mental health charity State of Mind Sport to complete a 50 mile sponsored journey around the five boroughs the Trust serves.
Jimmy Gittins and Danny Sculthorpe , who will complete the challenge using wheelchair hand-cycles, will be joined by 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust staff member Alex Horrocks and student nurse Will Stringer, alongside State of Mind Sport co-founders Doctor Phil Cooper and Ernie Benbow.
Taking place from 25 to 26 June, the It’s Time to Move event will cover Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.
The walk will raise funds for State of Mind Sport to enable the charity to continue raising awareness of mental fitness throughout the local area and to provide support to those who may be experiencing difficulties.
Doctor Phil Cooper, co-founder of State of Mind Sport and Nurse Consultant in Dual Diagnosis at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “The It’s Time to Move sponsored journey is a great opportunity for us to highlight the importance of mental fitness. Research shows that physical activity can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, and we encourage as many people as possible who use our services in each borough to join the journey for one section, or for as much as they can, or just come and say hello.
“Having Jimmy and Danny on board is a great way to cement the charity’s key aim of harnessing the power of sport to promote positive mental fitness among our sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities.”
Jimmy Gittins, who broke his neck playing rugby league 12 years ago, said: “I know how difficult it is to keep active after a life-changing event, but if you can join us on any part of the walk or just come and say hello it will make you feel good.”
“It will be great to be part of a team again for this event. I know first-hand how keeping as active as you can really helps with mental fitness,” commented Wigan Warriors ex-player Danny Sculthorpe.
Simon Barber, Chief Executive at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, who is also a patron of State of Mind Sport, added: “The State of Mind Sport programme plays such a valuable part in raising awareness about positive mental health and in sharing the message throughout our communities about how lifestyle choices can impact on mental wellbeing. I am proud of the Trust’s ongoing support of State of Mind Sport.”
For further information about the Its Time to Move event, visit: www.stateofmindsport.co.uk or to make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/Phil-Cooper16
Phil Cooper
