·Bradford district raises £16,000 for Mind in Bradford’s Winter Appeal

·Immanuel College pupil drums for 30-days in memory of his sister

·Local businesses Naylor Wintersgill, Regal Foods and Multibrands International back the Winter Appeal

Individuals and companies throughout the district have raised more than £16,000 for Mind in Bradford’s Winter Appeal. The mental health charity has run a variety of fundraisers, including the Move for Mind campaign to encourage people to get active every day for a month, improving mental health and raising vital funds.

Pupils at Immanuel College in Idle have joined the challenge, including Noah West, who has been drumming for 30 minutes every day in memory of his sister, who suffered from depression and sadly lost her battle with mental illness in 2020.

Noah had set a target of raising £100 but has so far achieved more than £600.

"I'm drumming for fifteen hours over 30 days for Mind in Bradford because my sister suffered from depression. Unfortunately she lost her battle with the mental illness in 2020."

Colin Grist, of Rally Fit fitness classes, ran a 90-minute Clubbercise class at Cullingworth Village Hall and raised £1,600.

He said: "I’m really proud of the whole group for undertaking a difficult challenge and for raising so much for this amazing charity in just two weeks – they all did so, so well. I try to support and champion mental wellbeing in my day job, and also through my fitness classes and this felt like a great way to give back to a great cause."

The mental health charity’s corporate supporter Multibrands International donated £3,000 to sponsor a bauble for the Mind in Bradford website’s virtual Christmas tree.

A company spokesperson aid: "We feel very strongly about supporting and encouraging our local communities in numerous ways, especially providing people with opportunities for a better life. The Winter Appeal by Mind in Bradford is a brilliant concept and we wish the teams the very best of luck and success in supporting individuals in need."

Other companies also made festive donations, including Brontel, Gordian Financial Services, Regal Foods, Ebor Financial Planning, Naylor Wintersgill, Ecology Building Society, Howard Civil Engineering, 06 Care, A&P Contractors and Barton Legal.

A Regal Foods spokesperson added: "As a Bradford company who employ many from the local community, it's important we play our part in raising awareness around mental health. Thank you to Mind in Bradford for all the work they do within our community."

If you’d like to support Mind in Bradford’s Winter Appeal or any of the fundraisers mentioned then head to:

https://www.mindinbradford.org.uk/support-us/