Pushing out the boat in Aviemore to help coronavirus key workers
Members of CrossFit Cairngorm in Aviemore have pulled together to bring in money for a new campaign to raise more for key workers in Scotland to access immediate counselling.
Seventeen members took part in a gruelling marathon rowing challenge as part of Situp4mentalhealth currently being staged by the Scottish Counselling Services.
The gym goers were asked to tackle the 42,195 metres event on a sit-down rower as individuals, two and three people teams over the three to five hours it takes to complete.
But members of the Aviemore fitness venue blew that distance out of the water.
CrossFit Cairngorm boss Ruari Lambert said: "We had 17 athletes take part in the marathon challenge, completing a combined 380,000 metres in 31 hours on the rower.
"We put the word out about the fundraiser and overnight had so many people rise to the challenge.
"None of the participant had access to a rower for the past five months so this was a big undertaking."
The marathon row was an event at the CrossFit Games in 2018.
Participants were able to row outside when the weather permitted.
The not-for-profit Situp4mentalhealth campaign aims to raise funds to provide 1000 hours of free counselling for key workers across Scotland.
The funds will help them cope with mental health challenges during and after the coronavirus pandemic.
The project aims to provide counselling – virtually until lockdown restrictions are fully eased – to help those who are experiencing trauma and grief through doing their jobs.
They are often on low incomes and in jobs that were never envisaged to be ‘front line’ in a crisis.
A SCS spokesperson said: "To qualify for counselling, we decided not to define a key worker as Covid-19 has affected so many people from all different industries.
"Examples would be care workers, pharmacy staff, refuse collectors, doctors and nurses, postal workers, supermarket and other essential retail staff, delivery drivers, warehouse staff, hospital porters, cleaners, undertakers and so on."
The #situp4mentalhealth campaign runs until August 26 across social media channels and through Crowdfunder UK.
SCS managing director Carole Mackintosh said: “Research and experience tells us that we will experience a tsunami of mental health needs in our communities and society as a whole, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
"Now and in the longer term. Our key workers, who are already at increased risk of contracting the virus, may experience post-traumatic effects or impacts.
"But they will largely be expected to carry on as normal. They can only continue to provide that critical lifeline for our communities if they have access to adequate support.
"Existing needs, prior to the pandemic crisis, far outweigh provision available nationally and waiting lists can be long.
"With help, we can offer sustainable support that continues into the longer term so that key workers can access help when they need it and how they need it. “
For full campaign details https://www.situp4mentalhealth.org/
