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Active Challenges
There’s nothing like a walk, run or cycle in support of your local charity!
Get active for better mental health!
Taking on an active challenge is a great way to raise money and awareness for a charity you love, while also contributing to your own positive mental wellbeing. Fly the flag for mental health in Devon with a run around your local area, a cycle on a nearby route, or a hike on Dartmoor! With so many areas and activities to choose from, the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to taking on your own active challenge.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are lots of local active events organised throughout the year at which you can represent Devon Mind. You can even stay at home and do it virtually — run around the garden or jump on the exercise bike!
Coast to Coast Challenge in aid of Devon Mind
Flying the flag 100 miles across Devon!
The Devon Coast to Coast is revered as one of the finest long-distance routes of the UK National Cycle Network, running from Ilfracombe to Plymouth, and keen supporters, Wayne and Ricky have decided to take on the ultra-marathon challenge in March 2025.
Active challenge ideas:
Running
Gary Head’s incredible 1,013 km run of the South West Coast Path raised almost £6,000 for local Minds, including Devon Mind
Probably the most popular of challenges, running is easy to organise, with plenty of events you can join or places you can set your own route. Whether it’s in your local park, on the SW Coast Path, or in an official 10K, a run makes a fantastic fundraiser!
Cycling
Amy Sussex completed a virtual 300-mile cycling challenge in her kitchen in 2020 and raised over £500 for Devon Mind
Prefer to sit down while doing good? A charity cycle is another super rewarding way to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside while raising money and awareness. You can even do a virtual cycling challenge on an exercise bike!
Walking
Eric Whitley made the epic 26-mile trek from Plymouth Hoe to the highest point on Dartmoor, raising over £600 in the process
Not a keen runner but still love the outdoors? Slow things down with a walk or hike and take in everything the area has to offer whilst flying the flag for mental health. Pick a route that suits you and get your friends, family or dogs involved as well!
Swimming
A team led by Mike Dunn in 2021 raised a whopping £5,000 for Devon Mind with their ice water swim on Dartmoor!
Keen swimmer? Set yourself a challenge for Devon Mind. We’ve seen swimmers take on tasks based on distance, beating personal bests, and braving extreme conditions. Whatever you challenge yourself to do, we can’t wait for you to dive in! (sorry)
Watersports
Kayaking over 100 miles from Plymouth to Penzance in 2019, Gareth and Ben raised over £1,000 for Devon Mind
Live near the coast and fancy yourself a surfer, kayaker or paddle boarder? Get a team together, set yourself some challenges, and take to the waters! Don’t forget safety first, and make sure you take some photos of those stunning coastal views and sights.
Golf
In 2019, Andrew Neilson organised a golf day in aid of Devon Mind, which included a host of activities and raised over £8,000!
The charity golf day can take a lot of planning, but it makes for an incredible day for participants, sponsors and supporters. If you’re a member of a local club or just an avid golfer, we’d love to support you in setting up a sponsored golf day.
Request a t-shirt or vest
Once you’ve organised your active challenge and created a fundraising page, don’t forget to request your Devon Mind t-shirt or vest to represent us on the day!
We love to hear from our incredible fundraisers. If you need any further resources or support, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
