Surprise guests drop in on big walk
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury led East Kent Mind’s first Big Walk and Talk on Sunday.
Supporters joining the sponsored walk checked-in at the Canterbury Umbrella building and headed through the Westgate Gardens, Toddlers Cove and through the Hambrook Marshes on either a 3km, 4km or 5km route. The event included the Mental Health Mile with walkers provided with cards to prompt conversations focused on wellbeing.
The event aimed to encourage positive conversations around mental health as well as raising vital funds for East Kent Mind’s services – including its new Wellbeing Ambassador initiative.
The Lord Mayor receives a donation on behalf of East Kent Mind from Hilary White and Elsie
As walkers headed through the Westgate Gardens they were approached by the family of Hilary White, of Wickhambreaux, who along with granddaughter Elsie Burnell-White presented £510 raised by the family at Mr and Mrs White’s joint 80th birthday celebration.
The couple, supported by granddaughter Elsie, staged an afternoon tea and charity bridge drive to raise the funds.
Simon Dolby, Development Lead at East Kent Mind, said: “The team are thrilled with the success of our first Big Walk and Talk and aim to make this an annual event. We are so grateful to the Lord Mayor for acting as our champion on this event and so many activities this year.”
The walkers included the editor of The Canterbury Courier, Sarah Linney, who used the occasion to take a photo of the Lord Mayor with a number of East Kent Mind Ambassadors.
The next event supporters can sign up for is a Tai Chi event with the Lord Mayor at Whitstable Castle on Sunday, 20 July. Click here for tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mindinbexleyandeastkent/1760450
Check out the video of the event below!
