The Sally Allan Fund was set up by the family in order to raise mental health awareness and to improve North East mental health, to date over £30,000 has been raised. The Fund enables Tyneside and Northumberland Mind to deliver a free one hour Mental Health Awareness Presentation to businesses, public sector bodies, charities and local community groups. Since January 2016 it has helped over 3,000 people in over 100 different organisations. We know from the feedback we receive it is making a difference, with organisations and individuals taking action to improve mental health. For example, with improved awareness of what to do, some organisations have trained their managers in mental health, or trained mental health first aiders to support their staff; helping to improve the culture in the workplace.   As individuals, some people have taken the important first step and sought help, whilst others have simply started a conversation with a friend who needed help and understanding. The presentation has a wider impact too, if those 3,000 people talk to just 2 people about what they have learned then nearly 10,000 people, in our region, now have a better understanding of mental health. The monies you donate will enable the Fund to reach out to more individuals, in more organisations, charities and community groups and in doing so improve mental health outcomes for so many more people. 

I was very touched when the members of Ponteland Tri Club came forward and asked if The Sally Allan Fund could be the charity for their very first Sprint Triathlon which takes place at Ponteland Leisure Centre on the 1st July 2018. It means a lot to know that nearly, 40 years on from our wedding day, Sally will be part of a healthy and fun event in Ponteland. Sally loved swimming, cycling and walking (sorry Tri athletes running wasn't her thing) so by doing those three separate events and helping others I hope to make her proud and remember her for all she gave me. The distances I will cover one after the other are swimming 400 metres, cycling 20 kilometres and walking 5 kilometres. 

Note I am doing my event a month earlier, following the event route, with support from Ponteland Tri Club; that way I can help them on the day of their event.  

Thanks for the support and if you want to compete in the Ponteland Sprint Triathlon please visit the website below.

www.sprinttriponteland.org