Miles of recognition for local initiative

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Published on Friday, October 6, 2017

The organizers of Neepawa’s Miles for Mental Health Walk. From left: Mark Perrett, Diane Martin and Claire McCannell. Missing are committee members Sheri Smelski and Jodie Byram.

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

Neepawa Banner & Press

A Neepawa group has received recognition for their efforts raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

On Aug. 20, between 75 and 80 people hit the pavement in Neepawa to take part in the Miles for Mental Health walk. The walk earned a certificate of recognition from the Suicide Prevention Implementations Network (SPIN).

Miles for Mental Health offered participants a 1k or 5k walk and a 5k or 10k run. Following the walk, entertainment was provided by comedian Big Daddy Tazz.

The organizing committee, made up of Diane Martin, Mark Perrett, Claire McCannell, Sheri Smelski and Jodie Byram, put the event together as a way of helping people use physical activity to help with mental health challenges. In total, the event raised about $1,500, $1,200 of which will be donated to SPIN to help fund suicide prevention and education programs they run locally in the community. The remainder of the money will provide seed money for next year’s walk, planned for Aug. 26.