The Fitness Fundraisers Team includes: Hayley Boereboom, Lis Payne, Andrew Flather, Laura Hutchinson, Erin Williams, Jan Short and Rachel Third.

We've decided to join the £10k Challenge! This challenge is all about raising money to support additional Loughborough student mental health resources needed to ensure we can safeguard those who need additional support in light of this pandemic. 

We're joining together with fellow Loughborough staff, students and alumni to support those struggling with their emotional and mental wellbeing during the global pandemic. 

The members of the Fitness Fundraisers team will be taking part in different 10K personal challenges for 10 days from the 10th of March. These team's challenges include:

- 10,000 steps a day for 10 days

- 10 runs in 10 days

- A 10K personal best during the 10 days

- A 10K run during the 10 days

- 2 x 5K runs in the 10 days (1 under 30 minutes)

The teams reasons for taking part:

"My own experience at university shaped who I am and I have so many happy memories from those years. But there were hard times too, when things weren’t always okay, and many of my friends and I needed extra support to stay safe and mentally well.

Loughborough students give so much to the community, to
charities, to the businesses they work with, and in the sports they play. I feel they deserve our help now, when it’s probably one of the hardest times its ever been to be a student. That’s why I want to raise money for student mental health, as I know all the money will go to making a difference to someone straight away."

"I’m participating because I want to help to ensure that no Loughborough student who is experiencing mental
health challenges lacks the support they need. It’s a privilege to be able to support such an important project at such a vital time. Please sponsor our effort however you can!"

"I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a student during this pandemic. University should be one of the best times of their lives, but students are facing extreme pressure, worry, and loneliness. I’m taking part in the £10K challenge because I know from experience the difference that mental health services can make, and I want to ensure that every student can get the support they need at this crucial time"

"What better way to support mental health services at Loughborough than with physical activity challenges that have such a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. I'm taking part because I believe that everyone that needs support should be able to get it as early as possible to provide them with the tools and support to manage their mental health and wellbeing which, in turn enables them to get the most out of their University experience."

Your support will make a big difference to those who need this vital support. Please follow our journey and support us in any way you can!

To the wonderful Loughborough students - you've been amazing throughout the pandemic and we want to show you we care about you, and you are not alone.