Around 180 people will take part in a 21-mile sponsored walk to raise funds for mental health charity Growing Well.
The charity’s Tebay base helps over 100 people a year and the walk, on May 14, will see people walk from Tebay Services to Rheged, near Penrith.
The miles for Minds fundraiser has been organised by Westmorland Farmshop & Co.
It has a £20,000 target and have so far raised £15,000.
Growing Well, which opened in Tebay in January 2023, provides structured, clinically-led mental health support through purposeful activity in a real working environment. Participants build routine, confidence and connection by being part of a team and contributing to meaningful work.
The site operates in partnership with Westmorland, who have provided the land rent-free, funded the site’s development, installed horticultural infrastructure and committed to purchasing all produce grown on site. Fresh salads and vegetables are supplied directly to Westmorland’s Farm Shops and Kitchens, where they are prepared and served just metres from where they are grown.
Located in a secluded area at the southern end of the northbound services, the site has been transformed into a thriving and highly productive growing space. Carefully managed polytunnels and raised beds now produce a consistent supply of fresh salads and vegetables, developed with support from Tebay Services staff alongside the Growing Well team and early participants.
Mary Smith, CEO of Growing Well, said: “There is a clear and growing need for timely mental health support in our local communities.
“At Growing Well Tebay, people can often begin within two weeks of referral. The money raised through Miles for Minds will help keep that support accessible, so more people can rebuild routine, confidence and connection when they need it most.”
Claire Logan Stephens, head of community and programming at Westmorland, said: “We’re incredibly proud to support Growing Well at Tebay and to see the difference it’s making to people across our local communities.
“The Miles for Minds walk is a fantastic way to bring people together, raise awareness of mental health, and help sustain a programme that is already changing lives.”
To support the Miles for Minds challenge and donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/westmorlandmilesforminds
