Big BaNES 100k

Walk, run, cycle, swim, skate, kayak or do it your way! This is the call from Mentoring Plus and Off The Record, and creators of The Bath 5k Map, who have teamed up to launch The Big BaNES 100k - a new nature-based fundraising challenge, to support young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Big BaNES 100k launches on Friday 17 May and local residents can combine any number of activities to reach the 100k milestone. The challenge will run until Friday 27 September, and organisers are encouraging fundraisers to get out into the beautiful BaNES countryside and bring friends, family, colleagues and community groups with them. 

Offering inspiration for how and where to get those steps, sprints or swims in is The Bath 5k Map, which has inspired this challenge, and already raised more than £5,000 for Mentoring Plus and Off The Record.

Local Bath resident and Bath 5k Map creator, Annie Legge, said: 

‘I'm thrilled to see this challenge come to life and the opportunity to raise vital funding to support the work of Mentoring Plus and Off the Record. 

Promoting access for our communities to the beautiful rivers, paths, parks and countryside around us in Bath is at the heart of The Bath 5k Map and what better way to bring this challenge and get people exploring!’

With access to mental health support an increasing challenge for young people, CEO of youth charity, Mentoring Plus, Ruth Keily, explains why every pound raised during The Big BaNES 100k will make a difference:

The Big BaNES 100k challenge offers everyone in our community a chance to get behind a generation of young people who have been heavily impacted by lockdowns and cuts to vital mental health support services.

Right now, in BaNES, schools, statutory services and mental health support are under immense pressure, leaving many young people nowhere to turn. 

But, with your help, we can give young people the inspiration and support they need to feel safe, heard and hopeful for their future.

Local residents keen to find out more and get 5k under their belt can join a special community walk on Friday 17 May at 4pm. The walk, which is taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week, is being hosted in partnership with Bath College and Bathscape. 

Bath College’s Student Welfare Manager, Robbie Popejoy, said:

‘Getting moving outside in nature and connecting with others can make a huge difference to a young person’s mental health and well-being.

We’re looking forward to walking with our students on Friday, and hope the walk will inspire more young people to get involved in The Big BaNES 100k’

Walkers will be guided by Annie Legge (The Bath 5k Map) and Lucy Bartlett (Bathscape) and will enjoy our beautiful city from Bath College, up to Alexandra Park, down to Lyncombe Vale, before ending up at Parade Gardens just in time for The Bath Festival’s Party in The City. 

With improving the mental health and emotional well-being of young people at the heart of The Big BaNES 100k, Off The Record, Development Manager, James Brown, said:

‘The Big BaNES 100k is open to all. However, as charities dedicated to improving the health and well-being of young people in BaNES, we would welcome your involvement in this fundraising challenge.

If you are curious but not sure how to get involved, come along on Friday 17 May or get in touch with Off The Record or Mentoring Plus.’

To sign up for Friday 17 May Community Walk visit: bit.ly/17Maycommunitywalk 

To take part in the Big BaNES 100k fundraising challenge visit: https://bit.ly/the-big-banes-100k