A TEAM of healthcare workers in North Wales exercised for a minimum of 165 miles each in May for a charity supporting those affected by an illness which can begin following childbirth.
Members of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s North Wales Perinatal Mental Health Service completed the challenge in aid of the organisation “Action on Postpartum Psychosis”.
Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness which can begin suddenly after giving birth.
Symptoms can include hallucinations and delusions, often with mania, depression or confusion.
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A target of £500 had been set, but the team has more than doubled that, with the current total raised £1,336 from covering 3,028 miles in all.
The minimum length that they each managed in May, 165 miles, represents the distance from Wales’ only mother and baby unit, in Swansea, to its base in North Wales.
Sian Parfitt, who managed 177 miles through walking and running in Abergele, was among those who took part.
She said: “Some people did over 200 of walking, running or cycling! Last Friday, we all walked up Moel Famau together. It was incredible.
“The team just came together and really pushed hard. When you work 9-5, sat down for most of the day, it’s hard to fit in all of the exercise as well, but everyone really pushed themselves.
“It was just really nice to see everybody come together, and to support a brilliant charity.”
You can still donate by visiting: www.justgiving.com/page/perinatalteambcuhb.
Their challenge also partly coincided with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which took place from May 2-8.
It is believed that one in four women experience mental health problems during the perinatal period.
The perinatal mental health team support women and their families in this period who experience moderate to severe mental health problems.
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