As part of a nationwide campaign to support mental health and wellbeing, Eastleigh College have launched an inclusive fitness fundraiser for students and staff that is running from 1^st February – 3^rd March 2022.

The BRIT Challenge is an annual fundraising competition run by The British Inspirational Trust (BRIT) charity. It is designed to be completed by individuals working together as a team to complete a year’s distance in miles – the total in 2022 being 2,022 miles. This target can be achieved through any combination of the following: walking, jogging, running, swimming, rowing, paddling, cycling or wheelchair pushing.

Phil Packer, Founder and Chief Executive of BRIT, said: “In recent years there has been a significant increase in young adult mental health difficulties which are being compounded by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. We are taking a collectively powerful approach against this through the delivery of the annual BRIT challenge as a UK-wide inclusive feel good February fundraiser.”

Thanks to the efforts of 318 individuals contributing a minimum of 1 mile each in our gym, Eastleigh College has currently completed 1,275 miles of the 2,022 total. Dan Collinson, Co-ordinator of the College BRIT Challenge, said: “Unification to complete the challenge under the Eastleigh College banner has seen a sense of togetherness and camaraderie which has been very encouraging. There are still 747 miles to be completed before Thursday 3^rd March so we are encouraging individuals and groups to book in with myself for the final push over the finishing line.”

Those willing but unable to participate in this year’s BRIT Challenge can be assured there will also be plenty more fundraising mental health campaigns moving ahead toward the spring and summer months. Alternatively you may be interested in supporting another cause - as is the case with Eastleigh College Maths Lecturer Suzanne Shergold.

Suzanne has a close personal connection to the Alzheimer’s Society, with a number of her close friends struggling with their parents’ Dementia diagnoses, which has influenced her decision to enlist on the TREK26 Cotswolds hike alongside her long-time walking partner Julie.

Though Suzanne walks 8-10 miles on a monthly basis, she has begun to walk weekly for increasingly long distances, working up towards the goal of being able to cover 26 miles within 8-9 hours for the event. “Walking in itself is very good for physical and mental health”, said Suzanne. “Combining it with a cause that resonates with you brings a real focus and purpose to the activity. The thought that we can positively impact someone’s life through walking has given us a real drive and we are really looking forward to it.”

If you would like to support Suzanne and Julie’s TREK26 hike for the Alzheimer’s Society, please click here.

To sign up for Eastleigh College’s BRIT Challenge, please contact the event co-ordinator Dan Collinson at the following address: dcollinson@eastleigh.ac.uk.