Saturday 15 December 2012

Record breaking news!

Record breaking goal for NHS Trust

On Saturday 15 December, alongside Leeds United Football Club we made history by breaking the record for the longest line of bunting.

We launched a campaign named, What’s your Goal? in February to raise awareness around the relationship between mental and physical health. Members of the public, schools and businesses were all encouraged to set a goal and make a piece of bunting which represented their goal.

As part of our campaign, we set a goal to break the world record for the longest line of bunting. The finale to the fantastic year-long campaign will see over 15,100 pieces of bunting (over 2.2 miles long) all joined together and laid out on the pitch at Elland Road ready for invigilators to check the criteria needed to break the world record.

Speaking about the success of the campaign, Chris Butler, chief executive, LYPFT, said: “Evidence shows that setting goals is good for our wellbeing and by writing it down, we’re much more likely to achieve it. At the start of the year I set myself a goal of walking 10,000 steps a day and I’m pleased to say I’ve maintained it. The campaign has had a fantastic response from the public, and without a doubt we have encouraged more conversations about mental health and wellbeing, which will all help towards fighting the stigma that continues to exist. I look forward to seeing all the bunting displayed on Saturday and following that at services and community settings in the New Year.”

Mick Ferguson, director of The Leeds United Foundation said: “The Leeds United Foundation has an established and far reaching partnership with the NHS and this is another brilliant way to raise awareness of mental health issues in society. Everyone in sport is acutely aware of the problems surrounding mental health and many of our colleagues and participants have contributed to the messages on the bunting. This is the culmination of a year-long programme highlighting the importance of goal setting and achieving targets and it is great to see it taking place at Elland Road. The world record breaking achievement will really bring the message home to the fans and the players.”

Players, coaches, ground staff and young trainees will  got  involved in the setting up breaking the world record  which unfolded before the match between Leeds United FC and Ipswich Town on Saturday.

By breaking  the record at Leeds United’s Football ground the Trust hopes to get players and fans thinking and talking about mental health.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been involved in the world record attempt, from people who have made a piece of bunting to all the volunteers who have helped at events and to everyone who has donated materials as well as our supporters. A special thank you to the Leeds United Foundation, Community Ventures, Hempsons, My Fabric House and Hobby Craft for their continued support throughout the campaign.

http://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/news/latest_news/1/473