A POOLE woman is running every day throughout January to help raise money and awareness for a local mental health charity.

Julie Noble has taken up the challenge to run at least 20 minutes a day on behalf of Dorset Mind. Having struggled with mental health issues herself, Julie said she felt motivated to raise at least £500 for the charity.

“The reason I’m doing the challenge is because I have personally suffered from depression, anxiety and an eating disorder on and off since I was 15 years old, and I know many people who have also had problems with mental health,” she said.

“Dark days in January cause a lot of people to really feel the effects of depression, so this is the perfect time to do this challenge.

“I felt that if I did a really big challenge, it would encourage people to support me and raise vital funds. I’m not a natural runner, but I do enjoy it and feel it really helps me manage my depression.”

The funds will be welcome to Dorset Mind as the charity seeks to extend mental health support services across the county.

Dr Andrew Mayers, a psychologist at Bournemouth University, was recently appointed as patron for Dorset Mind. He said he was “honoured” by Julie’s commitment in aid of the charity.

“She has very personal reasons for wanting to raise these funds, and I am very grateful. If we are to achieve our ambition to provide mental health support across the county, we need funds.

“We must raise all of our own funding to provide these services. Anyone who chooses to support Julie can be assured the money will only be spent locally.”

Dorset Mind is managed by a committed group of volunteer trustees including Jane Kilpatrick, who said Julie’s challenge would help raise the profile of the charity as it continued to provide help and support locally.

For more information on the challenge, go to runeverydayjanuary.com, or to support Julie visit justgiving.com/JuNo-mind