Rugby league team York City Knights joined forces with the city's businesses and residents and helped raise more than £1000 during mental health awareness week for York Mind.

To mark our 30th anniversary, we donated our time and PR skills to promote the York Walls Walk, which took place on 18th May. More than 100 people took part in the walk and raised essential funds for York Mind.

York City Knights General Manager Neil Gulliver said: “The rugby league fraternity is at the forefront of tackling mental health issues in sport and wider communities and is a key element of our Men’s Health programme.
 
“Health and mental wellbeing form a huge part of the work that the Knights Foundation undertakes in changing lives in York and across North Yorkshire and The York Walls Walk is a great way for people to show their support.”
 
York Mind Community Fundraiser Holly Bilton added: “Be it taking part in team sports like rugby or even less strenuous forms of exercise, physical activity is scientifically proven to help relieve stress.
 
“Walking the walls, enjoying the views and talking to other people is an ideal way to mark Mental Health Awareness Week in York. We’re delighted that so many people took part and that we've raised more than £1000.”

Commenting on the support Partners provided, Holly said: "We saw an increase in engagement across our social media platforms, due to the event listings and PR activity, so we know that we were reaching more people who had never interacted with us before, and we would hope that in the longer term this will have a positive effect for our reputation in the city.

"I also note that almost everyone I spoke to last week at stalls and info events mentioned that they had seen we were doing a Walls Walk – so the promotional activity definitely worked! Keeping York Mind high in the level of public consciousness definitely helps us as an organisation and we will see those benefits in years to come. Thank you."

York Mind supports around 1000 people in York every year and requires desperately needed funds to support individuals to continue their lives with a variety of mental health conditions. York Mind services include counselling, befriending, peer support, therapeutic groups, young people’s support and mental health training.