Exeter students to run 2km on the hour every hour for 24 hours to raise money for charity

Exeter University students Henry Yannaghas, 21, from Suffolk and Edward Warner, also 21, from Llandudno in North Wales, have set themselves the challenge of running 48 kilometres over the course of 24 hours. The distance will be split over equal hourly stints with the aim of raising funds for the UK charity Mind.

The final year Mechanical Engineering and the Arabic and Islamic Studies undergraduates are helping to raise awareness of mental health issues and the pressures students are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on student lives. They have seen friends suffer and it is through the charity Mind, that helps students through the trying times, that valuable and preventative help can be found.

Henry and Ed started their challenge at 11am Saturday morning in the hope of raising £500 with an hourly run on the hour for 24 consecutive hours. Edward says: “It’s a personal cause for me. When life got on top of me last year the Well-being Centre was there for me, but they are under so much strain as demand for their services has skyrocketed due to COVID. But aside from that, the work of Mind in general is so, so important and the issue of mental health provision for students deserves so much more attention.”

“I along with many of my university friends have had their lives turned around by the fantastic work done by the welfare support team.” Explains Henry Yannaghas. “With lockdown piling on additional stress on all students across the country there is no better time to be raising money for the wonderful mental health charity Mind UK supporting student welfare services that are currently experiencing unprecedented demand during the ongoing pandemic.” continues Yannaghas.

“We have reached our target and will carry on running so please continue to donate so that we can raise £1,000!” enthused Ed before they both set off on the next run.

Anyone wishing to show support can donate for the challenge with all the proceeds going to Mind.