Bournemouth entrepreneur and Dorset Mind Ambassador Ty Temel has teamed up with the mental health charity again to lead its fundraising challenges for 2023.

It’s hoped the varied programme of events will inspire people to reap the benefits of getting active on mental health – and raise vital funds to help deliver local support, education and training.

The challenges start with the 40^th annual Bournemouth Bay Run on Sunday April 2.

Set against the seven-mile stretch of beach, four distances are offered to suit all abilities: a half marathon, 10km, 5km and a 1km Kids Fun Run.

Dorset Mind is one of three officially supported charities this year – and Ty will be taking part alongside several of the charity’s ambassadors.

Other challenges planned are the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenges in May, the 3-Peaks in June and Skydive in July.

There’s also an epic Land of Fire and Ice challenge in Iceland planned for August this year, led by the mental health advocate again.

Ty said: “If there’s one thing I learned from lockdown, it was the sense of community, which is why at Dorset Mind we want to reinforce the importance of connection whilst also keeping physically and mentally fit.

“I’m really looking forward to this incredible year of challenges to keep me personally motivated, whilst helping support local people too.”

Linda O’Sullivan, pictured left, CEO, Dorset Mind, said: “This year, more than ever, we’ve witnessed people’s mental health being challenged as they face the cost of living crisis, having only just emerged from lockdowns and the pandemic.

“It’s brilliant that more people are talking about mental health, but it’s now time for action.

“We intend to be at the forefront of leading mental health support across the county to help reduce the postcode inequality for access to timely support.

“We know that we can only do this by working in partnership and through communities.

“We’re hugely grateful to Ty for his considerable time, and effort, to help build Team Dorset Mind and enable the expansion of our 1-2-1 and group therapies for people to access when they need our help.”

Dr Andy Mayers, pictured right, Dorset Mind Patron and Principal Academic at Bournemouth University, added: “It’s really humbling to see Ty once more using his influence to help local people.

“This is a timely opportunity to show how we can use activity to maintain good physical and mental health, and a wonderful way to raise much-needed funds so that we can support mental health across Dorset.

“While we still don’t know the full impact of the cost of living crisis on mental health, we do need to make sure Dorset Mind is ready to provide that support.

“We can only do that with funding.”

• Join Ty and find out more about Dorset Mind’s 2023 challenge events and the work it does by visiting dorsetmind.uk/challenges/