Molly Rose Foundation enjoyed a bumper weekend in Brighton cheering on its runners and proudly spreading its mental health message across the resort’s cafes.
The suicide prevention charity had seven runners in the Brighton Marathon and eight in the 10k race and was on site at the finish line with bubbles, medals and all important post-race snacks.
The weekend also saw the first large scale roll-out of its Coffee for Molly initiative; a free campaign geared around the importance of starting conversations about mental health, named after Molly Rose Russell, who died after being exposed to harmful content online.
A remarkable 13 cafes took part in the initiative, which saw Coffee for Molly conversation starter menus, Molly Rose Foundation-branded coffee cup sleeves and Where To Find Help cards distributed to customers.
So far, our runners have raised more than £8,000 and further donations are continuing to trickle in.
Chief Executive Andy Burrows said: “It’s been an absolutely huge weekend for Molly Rose Foundation and we’ve been blown away by everyone’s efforts.
“We thank all of those who ran and raised funds for us from the bottom of our hearts and we are absolutely delighted by how many cafes took part in Coffee for Molly.
“It’s vitally important to take time to talk and that so many coffee shops were so eager to take part proves just what a special place Brighton is.
“The atmosphere and the weather this weekend has been glorious – we can’t wait to do it again next year. And watch this space… we’ve got our sights on the London Marathon too!”
The charity had a marquee in the Athlete Village after the finish line, where it toasted its runners and awarded them with specially-designed Molly Rose Foundation medals.
Volunteers were also on hand selling t-shirts, caps and other MRF-branded merchandise, as well as taking donations and signposting the help, support and practical advice available.
MRF trustee Mike Wright said: “This was the first time for me and my brother Steve doing an official 10k, so there was some trepidation as we made our way to the start line. But any nerves soon melted away as the race started as the atmosphere was incredible with the sun beaming down and the crowds shouting encouragement from the sides.
“It was also fantastic to see the other MRF runners in the pack, conspicuous as they ran in the charity’s purple.
“Reaching the finish line left us exhausted and elated, partly as we’d made it to the end, but also as it is a great way to support the wonderful and vital work MRF does locally and nationally.”
If you’re struggling just text MRF to 85258 so you can speak to a trained volunteer from Shout, the UK’s Crisis Text Line service.
