Verity Westgate
Verity's page
Fundraising for Mind
Story
I have been intending to raise money for Mind for some time, and when I saw that it was one of the official charities of the Great North Swim, I decided to sign up and persuade Ken to join me. This is no ordinary swimming challenge; we will be swimming a mile in Lake Windermere. This is about 64 lengths of a 25m swimming pool, but the lake will not be heated! Ken has done open water swimming before with his triathlon swimming hat on, but this is a new experience for me. We will be wearing wetsuits (which may make the swimming more difficult) and I am told that there are hot showers and cups of tea at the end!
Mind is a charity very close to our hearts and we will be swimming in memory of my close friend Emily who took her life in October 2006 after a long battle with depression. The collection from her funeral was split between Mind and Rethink, and we are hoping to add considerably to the money raised for Mind. Emily liked swimming, but I'm not sure how she would have viewed a swim in a lake, although I know she would have been hugely supportive and would have been there with a cup of tea at the end. I've been wearing a pink swimming hat whilst training to remember her.
Please help us to raise as much money as we can by supporting us as generously as you can in our venture. Mind have given us some examples of how different amounts of money can be used. Our joint target is £1500, but we would love to smash this.
£8 provides a lifeline. It enables Mind to answer a call to the MindinfoLine from someone in desperate need of support.
£10 could help 30 people in need to receive practical advice though essential information booklets on important issues like depression or bereavement.
£15 could help someone experiencing mental health problems to take part in a group therapy session where they are encouraged to discuss their feelings.
£150 could help to establish a vital support group at one of our local Mind associations assisting people with mental health problems in regaining confidence and self-esteem.
£1000 could help us support a local Mind association befriending scheme. Trained workers make regular phone calls to isolated people who are at risk of developing depression and other mental health related problems.
Thank you very much for your support - I am sure it will help us to get around the course!
Verity and Ken.
PS: (I'm sorry that I don't have a picture of us in training or in our wetsuits, I took one but it wasn't hugely appealing and I do need you to stay on this page long enough to donate!)
PPS: If you would prefer to donate to Rethink, then that is fine; let me have an offline donation and I can get it sent onto them after the swim.
Mind is a charity very close to our hearts and we will be swimming in memory of my close friend Emily who took her life in October 2006 after a long battle with depression. The collection from her funeral was split between Mind and Rethink, and we are hoping to add considerably to the money raised for Mind. Emily liked swimming, but I'm not sure how she would have viewed a swim in a lake, although I know she would have been hugely supportive and would have been there with a cup of tea at the end. I've been wearing a pink swimming hat whilst training to remember her.
Please help us to raise as much money as we can by supporting us as generously as you can in our venture. Mind have given us some examples of how different amounts of money can be used. Our joint target is £1500, but we would love to smash this.
£8 provides a lifeline. It enables Mind to answer a call to the MindinfoLine from someone in desperate need of support.
£10 could help 30 people in need to receive practical advice though essential information booklets on important issues like depression or bereavement.
£15 could help someone experiencing mental health problems to take part in a group therapy session where they are encouraged to discuss their feelings.
£150 could help to establish a vital support group at one of our local Mind associations assisting people with mental health problems in regaining confidence and self-esteem.
£1000 could help us support a local Mind association befriending scheme. Trained workers make regular phone calls to isolated people who are at risk of developing depression and other mental health related problems.
Thank you very much for your support - I am sure it will help us to get around the course!
Verity and Ken.
PS: (I'm sorry that I don't have a picture of us in training or in our wetsuits, I took one but it wasn't hugely appealing and I do need you to stay on this page long enough to donate!)
PPS: If you would prefer to donate to Rethink, then that is fine; let me have an offline donation and I can get it sent onto them after the swim.