Olympic legend Sally Gunnell OBE returns to start Mental Elf Festive Fun Run on 30 November

Worthing-based mental health charity, West Sussex Mind, will hold Mental Elf, its annual 5km run and walk on Sunday 30 November – and this year there’s a new 2km option in the afternoon, suitable for all abilities. 

Runners and walkers dressed as elves will take over Worthing seafront – and Sally Gunnell OBE will start the 5km race with her personal trainer son, Luca Bigg, leading a fun warm-up.

The charity is delighted to bring Mental Elf back to Worthing, as the event had to be cancelled last year due to health and safety concerns around Storm Bert, and is very excited to welcome back Sally Gunnell! 

West Sussex Mind hopes that this year’s event will attract 220 runners and walkers for its biggest fundraiser of the year at a time when the demand for the charity’s support continues to soar.  

During 2024-25, West Sussex Mind supported 7,766 people with their mental health (22.8% more than the previous year) and answered 9,547 calls to its Help Point. The independent charity, which is experiencing a significant increase in demand for its services, relies on fundraising for the majority of its services, and large community events, such as Mental Elf, are paramount to help it continue its work. 

Fundraising and communications manager, Sue Smith, said: “Mental Elf is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness about our services, come together with our community and generate funds so that we can support anyone who needs our help. We hope that our community will rally again and help us reach our target of 220 participants.”   

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