Running group sets sights on tackling mental health

A group of local runners is urging the Orkney public to back an online crowdfunding campaign in its quest to improve Orkney’s mental health.

Orkney Running Club is focusing its sights on playing a key role in improving the county’s health, particularly in combating mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

One stumbling block, however, is the lack of qualified coaches in Orkney.

Ian Sutcliffe, chairman of Orkney Running Club, said: “Obviously, there are physical benefits which I think most people will be aware of, but it’s amazing how many people you talk to who took up running for the reason of mental health benefits.

“Tackling depression; tackling anxiety; I have a friend who has just completed 100 marathons and he commented that he only took up running to combat anxiety. I never even knew, because you just don’t talk about mental health issues. I feel it’s something we can put back into running.

“We need to raise £1,330. We don’t have that, so we thought that it’s for such a good cause, it’s to help health in Orkney and Orcadians are very good at charity, that we just feel crowdfunding is an ideal way for us to raise the money.”

The crowdfunding page can be found at: www.chuffed.org/project/orkney-running-for-health