THE rain didn’t dampen the festive spirit as around 140 people of all ages took part in Mind in West Essex’s 2025 Mental Elf Festive Fun Run.

The fundraising event at Harlow Town Park on Sunday, December 7th encouraged people to wear festive fancy dress and walk or run 5km in support of mental health.

Everyone who took part in the fun run or volunteered at the event received a free National Trust family day pass, while all runners and walkers got a special medal at the finish line.

There were also raffles, children’s games and costume prizes to be won on the day.

This was the fourth Mental Elf Festive Fun Run, which has become the local mental health charity’s main annual fundraiser, and raised at least £2,346.30 this year.

Funds were raised through entry tickets, raffle and game entries, photo print orders, sponsored runs and donations, with the final total expected to grow once other income is included.

Mind in West Essex thanks everyone who took part in the fun run, the volunteers who helped make the day a success and all the local groups and businesses who supported the event.

This included the We Are Photo group, Sheryl from Sweat Harlow and Lee from Harlow Parkrun for their roles on the day.

Businesses who donated items for the raffle included: Novotel London Stansted Airport, Roydon Marina Village, Mark Hall Sports Centre. Strike Elite Academy, TeamSport Karting Harlow, Wild ‘n’ Wacky, Skratch18, South Mill Arts, The Panic Room Harlow, Nuclear Races Wild Forest, The Mystery Chest Ltd, Craft-Dee Designs, Primark Harlow and Tesco Church Langley.

As an independent charity, Mind in West Essex has to raise its own funds through income, grants and donations.

While affiliated with the national charity Mind, the local Mind has its own board of trustees from the local community who ultimately decide what services the charity provides.

All money raised for Mind in West Essex stays in the local community and supports mental health services in Harlow, Epping Forest and Uttlesford.