3 minute read
Gift giving
Doing something to help others can be good for the soul and three fundraisers for Mersey Cares NHS Charity have found their efforts have had a profound effect on their own wellbeing. MC Magazine finds out why stepping up can benefit everyone.
Running wild
When Gareth Kinnair signed up for his first 10k run last year, he wanted to help the Mersey Cares charity in appreciation of the care received by a member of his family. He didn’t expect it to be the first step into a whole new way of life.
“I just thought I’d raise some money,” said Gareth. “I didn’t realise how much getting involved would help me.
“It was a huge personal challenge – I wasn’t athletic at all. I’d get tired running upstairs! But the training has turned my life around. I’ve never been in such good health and since then I’ve started running half marathons!”
The training has turned my life around. I’m amazed how it’s benefited me.
New heights
As a consultant psychiatrist for Mersey Care’s Early Intervention Team, Nismen Lathif knows how important it is to feel happy. He says being part of the team tackling the charity’s Snowdon Challenge and Liverpool Cathedral abseil was an enriching experience.
He said, “Learning new skills brings its own rewards and working together towards a common goal is always time well spent. It warmed my heart to be helping a worthy cause and to see people enjoying themselves.”
Sense of achievement
Raising money for the charity was one of the reasons Rosie Kaur was determined to allow herself time to train for the Three Peaks Challenge. But Mersey Care’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer saw the psychological benefits too.
“I wanted to prove if you get your head down, you can do anything.
“I wanted to overcome something I didn’t think I could do,” she said. “I’m not an athlete - I’m a middle aged mother of two boys. I wanted to be a role model for them and prove there are times in your life when things will be difficult but if you get your head down, you can do anything.”
What could you achieve?
Sign up for one of Mersey Cares’ fundraising challenge events in 2025 –visit merseycares.org
