HUNDREDS of pounds have been raised for mental health charities by the chairman of Malvern Hills District Council’s gruelling 160-mile Hike for Health and Happiness.
Coun John Raine raised almost £2,000 for Malvern-based organisations Positive Thoughts, Jigsaw and Link Nurseries, finishing his fund-raising challenge on Saturday (September 10) having spent ten days walking through every ward in the Malvern Hills district.
He was greeted by supporters and the Mayor of Malvern, Coun Cynthia Palmer, as he arrived at The Greater Malvern Show at lunchtime with his wife Susan and fellow hikers.
As well as raising money for charity, Coun Raine’s aim was to encourage people to talk more about mental health issues.
After announcing his fund-raising total, he signed the Time to Change pledge to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
During the hike, Coun Raine stopped off to meet different people at various locations in the district including pupils at Pendock CE Primary School who presented him with a donation and handmade card. He also played three organ recitals at churches in the area.
He was also called upon to play the piano for the hymn ‘One More Step’ in assembly on the first day of term at Broadheath Primary School and was accompanied at various stages of his hike by fellow councillors, council staff and police from West Mercia.
Coun Raine said: “The Hike for Health and Happiness has been a wonderful experience in so many ways.
“It was a chance to discover various hidden gems within our beautiful district that we had not previously visited – like Elgar’s Birthplace Museum and Leigh Court Barn – as well as being an opportunity to traverse the wonderful countryside and enjoy fantastic panoramas.
“We also got to meet, walk and converse with many of my colleague councillors, and others who kindly joined us for a stretch of the hike.
“It has all been so enjoyable and worthwhile, but a particularly inspiring moment came on day six when we visited Link Nurseries at Powick, met the new manager and heard about the positive prospects for re-establishing the horticultural therapy work there which proves so helpful to people recovering from mental health difficulties.”
Donations can still be made by visiting www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/hike4health.
