Stephen has congratulated a local family who have completed a 55km walk in support of the mental health charity, MIND. The walk – which took fourteen hours to complete – raised over £3,000.
The Alaudin family from East Ham resolved to undertake the walk for charity after seeing friends and family struggle with mental health problems, particularly over lockdown.
The walkers – who were aged between 13 and 42 – undertook a number of training walks prior setting off for Woking earlier this week. They aimed to raise £1,200 but their current donations have totalled £3,200. Some of the group suffered injuries along the way, but refused to give up. They eventually arrived in Woking and were met by a jubilant group of local residents who had been monitoring their progress.
The group’s organiser, Shafiq Abidin, said: “Mental health is a topic which still generates a lot of stigma, both in silence and out loud. This is especially true in the Asian community, where the pleas of many that are suffering in silence are still being ignored.
We wanted to participate in a charitable cause that we thought could accumulate a meaningful amount of money for MIND. I am glad we did it, even if we did have to fight through the pain barrier to do so!”
After speaking to the group outside East Ham Town Hall, Stephen said: “The pandemic and social distancing measures have had a profound effect on the people’s mental health, and particularly in East Ham. The pressures that have been placed on those already suffering from mental ill health cannot be underestimated, and we must do our best to help.
“I congratulate the Alaudin family on completing such a gruelling walk. They have raised a huge amount of money which will, no doubt, go some way to helping those who are struggling with mental health problems in our community.
“It is not too late to make a donation – I made one earlier this week – and would encourage others to do so!”
Should you wish to donate to the group, then you can do so here.