Not for Profit
Ben Reynolds, Jamie Whisken and Ty Temel.
Published: January 10, 2021 | Updated: 10th January 2021
They should feel proud.
Very proud.
Not just for creating a community at a time when many were at their lowest point.
Or giving people a focus and a reason to get outdoors and keep physically and mentally fit.
But, above all, raising an astonishing £80,000 for Dorset Mind.
Step forward Ty Temel, Ben Reynolds and Jamie Whisken.
Which, in fact, is exactly what they – and almost 200 other people – have been doing by each completing one million steps in 50 days.
The ‘Step Up Challenge’ was the second fundraiser devised by the trio for Dorset Mind.
It’s now been revealed that the initiative, which worked out at an average of 20,000 steps a day and finished just before Christmas, raised £38,000.
Combined with the first lockdown challenge – ‘The June 500’ which also also involved around 200 people – it means a phenomenal £80,000 has been raised for the mental health charity.
Ty pictured by Osprey Europe.
Ty, 32, Owner of Halo Bournemouth, said: “2020 was overwhelming for many reasons but ‘The June 500’ and ‘The Step Up Challenge’ are two major positives that will stick firmly in my memory.
“These fundraising challenges were created by myself and two close friends during a time of real adversity.
“The Step Up Challenge was targeted at raising awareness and money for Dorset Mind that had a gap in funding because of the pandemic.
“A timely blow, because this is when their services were needed most.
“We created a community when people felt most isolated, a reason to get outdoors and moving and to keep physically and mentally fit.
“It opened up a new lifestyle balance to me that I will learn from, let alone others.
“The feedback has been heartwarming and it was especially rewarding to see everyone getting out and enjoying the outdoors.
“We’re overjoyed that we could play some part in helping with mental well-being in our local community.
“A sincere thanks to all involved. Everyone that took part, donated, helped or supported in one way or another.”
Ben, 37, is the Owner of The Lost Paradise.
He said: “Like ‘The June 500’, the aim was to help create a focus, get us moving – a lot – and build a community spirit at a time of so much separation and uncertainty.
“I am extremely proud of everyone who participated.
“It was physically much harder than we anticipated.
“The gyms being closed turned into a blessing by pushing us outside into the full glory of Mother Nature.
“We experienced some monster sunrises and rainstorms.
“It’s been a challenging year and now, more then ever, we want to keep increasing the conversations about mental health in our community and inspire people to open up and take some action to better wellbeing.”
Jay Morton of SAS Who Dares Wins (middle) and Tommy Entwistle, Osprey Europe (second right) with Jamie, Ben and Ty.
Jamie, 33, a fitness coach and Poole Town FC Captain, said: “I’m so excited that, after the success of The June 500, we are able to bring another successful challenge to the table.
“Once again this kept many people mentally focused and physically challenged through a couple of even tougher months, during a time of year when many struggle.
“So many embraced it and it was a pleasure to be a part of.
“It’s my absolute passion and I love to witness people working on improving themselves daily.
“That’s exactly what this did, mentally as much as physically.”
Marianne Storey, Chief Executive, Dorset Mind, pictured left, said the timing of the second fundraiser couldn’t have been more appropriate.
She added: “We’ve seen nine incredibly tough months that have had a devastating impact on people’s mental health.
“The first pot of funding from these local business leaders kept us afloat during the first six months of lockdown last year when we saw our funding drastically cut as organisations closed and our community fundraising and training income streams dried up. .
“The money raised in this second challenge we’re reserving to help create and deliver support specifically targeted at men.
“We know that many men tend not to talk about their mental health and reach out for help when they are struggling.
“As a result, they are three times as likely to take their own lives than women.
“This is something that we at Dorset Mind are extremely passionate about breaking the stigma around.
“We must create ways and means that encourage men to talk about, seek and find help when they need it.
“We simply must ensure that men know that there are many, many alternatives to suicide, and we must provide the right kinds of support so that men can talk and build resilience as early as possible.
“We have created a focus group, of which Ty is central.
“This is something that he’s also extremely passionate about, having witnessed first-hand how devastating it is to lose friends and family to mental health and suicide.
“We’re so grateful to our three challenge leaders, the challenge sponsors Running Free and Osprey Europe and everyone that took part or very kindly donated.”
Dr Andy Mayers, Dorset Mind Patron and Principal Academic at Bournemouth University, pictured right, said: “We are truly grateful to Ty, Ben and Jamie for raising so much funding for us at a time when we need it most.
“I am inspired by their dedication and motivation to keep this going through such difficult times.
“I am aware that Ty has deeply personal reasons for his passion for mental health, but he has used that motivation in such a positive way.
“All too often, men find it hard to talk about emotions and mental health.
“The Step Up challenge went a long way to encourage more men to talk and seek help.
“A great deal of my own work focuses on men’s mental health.
“This excellent endeavour will help reinforce campaigns to reduce the distress so many men face, often without support”
