London Southend Airport has confirmed its final total raised from the mental health charity run, Mental Elf, which took place in December.
Fundraising for the festive event, which saw 104 participants run 197 laps of the runway (a cumulative distance of 702km), came to a close this week and airport staff are happy to reveal the grand total has hit a milestone £15,000.
The money will be put to good use by local charity, South East and Central Essex Mind, to support their new phone helpline, ‘Somewhere to turn’.
Corporate & Social Responsibility Manager Jo Marchetti said: “We are thrilled with the extraordinary amount of money and time donated by both our employee volunteers and the Mental Elf event participants, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis – it is truly amazing.
“Mental Elf brings everyone involved together at Christmas time for an incredible local charity in what is a truly fantastic community event.”
Robyn Blackwood, Income Generation & Communications Manager for SECE Mind, said: “As our charity partner, London Southend Airport has been really supportive in providing such a unique venue for our run and helping us raise funds for our vital local mental health services. We’re very grateful to the participants, volunteers and of course the airport teams for their support and to everyone who has fundraised.”
The final fundraising total includes donations, ticket sales, all car parking charges for the event and additional proceeds from the Mental Elf market on-the-day.
Esken, who own London Southend Airport, committed to match funding up to £5,000.
Participants were able to walk, jog or run one full return length of the runway (3.7km) and then as many laps as they could manage thereafter.
The runway was taken over by all manner of Santa’s little helpers – including Sir James Duddridge Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East and new airport CEO John Upton – donning their finest festive dress.
