The ‘Mental Elf’ Fun Run, hosted by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, might have been cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions, but that doesn’t mean that the Christmas spirit has to be cancelled too…
On the 3rd of December the ‘Mental Elf’ Fun Run, hosted by Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, was cancelled last minute due to unsafe weather conditions. Event organisers initially planned to shorten the run through the Exhibition Park, after the heavy snowfall on the 1st of December, and advised participants to walk the distance to avoid slipping on ice. However, on the morning of the 3rd, the freezing temperatures and melted snow created unsafe conditions, even for walking, resulting in the event’s cancellation.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the exceptional volunteers and staff who put so much work into helping organise this event and still joined us on Sunday, braving the snow and ice…
This was a disappointing outcome for runners and event organisers alike, as the event took months to organise and was set to be festive fun. Despite their best efforts to notify everyone beforehand, via direct email or through their social media, representatives were still present at the Exhibition Park to assist those who hadn’t received the news.
Lee Walker, Fundraising Manager for Tyneside Mind, said “Our heartfelt thanks go out to the exceptional volunteers and staff who put so much work into helping organise this event and still joined us on Sunday, braving the snow and ice, in case anyone arrived.”
The ‘Mental Elf’ Fun Run aimed to bring the community together and raise money to support those struggling with mental health challenges over the Christmas period. Despite the unforeseen cancellation, participants were encouraged to wear their festive costumes and partake in ‘Mental Elf’ activities to spread festive cheer and engage in physical activities to improve their well-being and mental health.
I was disappointed but it seemed like the right thing to do considering it would have been unsafe with the ice and snow...
Unfortunately, despite organisers’ best efforts to attain an alternative date, it’s unlikely that the event will be rescheduled before Christmas. Through an email sent to each intended participant, Tyneside Mind said “In the days since, despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure an alternative, suitable date for the event at our booked venue amid the bustling holiday season. Consequently, this event will not go ahead before Christmas and we are unsure yet about another run at Exhibition Park in the new year, as we await available dates from the council.”
Tyneside Mind has decided to award anyone who intended to partake in the 5km Fun Run with a complimentary medal and certificate of gratitude to thank them for their involvement. Some participants have already shared photos of their medals, with one dog participant using it as a collar, and another child participant using their medal as a Christmas decoration.
‘Mental Elf’ fun runs and events were held across the country, through dozens of local Mind organisations, raising funds for mental health. Although their ‘Mental Elf’ event was cancelled, Tyneside Mind still managed to raise money for charity through sponsorships and donations. They also managed to raise £16,000 through doubled donations for the Big Give Match Funding Christmas Challenge, held between the 28th of November and the 5th of December, demonstrating the North East’s dedication to Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Although the cancellation of Tyneside Mind’s ‘Mental Elf’ Fun Run led to disappointment for hard-working event organisers and eager runners alike, the efforts made to spread awareness and raise funds for Mind over the Christmas period show no bounds. It is clear that, whilst the weather might cancel fundraising events this December, it certainly won’t cancel the Christmas spirit!
