Students and staff at The Mount have successfully finished their Row-a-thon target hours ahead of time.
Having set their sights on needing 12 hours to row 84km, the girls and staff began at 8am, intending to finish around 8pm. They completed their target distance by 3.45pm.
Matt Cannon, Head of Physics and the school’s informal ambassador for male mental health, said “To row 84km in 7.5hours is a mighty achievement. Thank you to everyone who came across and supported the girls and staff. The cheers of encouragement really helped in those final minutes of each quarter-hour stint.”
Those still wishing to donate may give in their contributions at the Main Reception desk or donate online to https://mydonate.bt.com/events/georgetoplismentalhealththroughsport
Earlier report – 27 June 2017
The Mount will hold a charity row-a-thon to raise funds for male mental health.
Girls and staff will row the length of York’s Ouse River on Monday 3 July. Funds raised will be donated to the George Toplis Foundation, which supports young people with autism and mental illness, providing long-term funding for their engagement in sport, and is one of the School’s chosen charities for this academic year.
The event is inspired by Head of Physics Matt Cannon, who became the school’s informal advocate for male mental health awareness last year after an old rugby friend committed suicide. Matt gave a presentation to the senior school girls on research into the adverse effects on male mental health of ‘ladette’ culture, which discourages men from exploring and discussing their emotions.
“Men generally find it challenging to talk about their feelings, let alone reflect on them. Women tend to have a greater support network and are able to talk about and process their feelings with their friends. Actually, women have quite an important role to play in helping men with their mental health,” said Matt.
The girls will row at least 84km on stationary rowing machines from 8am to 8pm in the school’s Dining Room, where they will be joined by guest rowers from New Earswick Rugby Club, as well as on FaceTime by their Year 10 pupils, who will be on a sports tour in Greece.
Members of the public wishing to make a donation can contact the school office on (+44) 01904 667500 or donate online through https://mydonate.bt.com/events/georgetoplismentalhealththroughsport
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