Tag Archives: Fundraising

Eugene stands with arms outstretched, holding 6 marathon medals.

888 Marathon-Man Giving Pound for Pound to Action Mental Health Vital Services

April 27, 2026 actionmentalhealth

The ‘888 Challenge’ looms large for seasoned Northern Ireland runner Eugene (Oggie) Winters, as he pursues his 888th marathon challenge at this year’s 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 3 May.

The dedicated endurance runner named the Unsung Hero at the 2025 Spirit of Northern Ireland Awards, is once again proving that age is only a number and that the numbers that really matter are the number of unrun marathons yet to come.

As the Portstewart-based runner who originally hails from the townland of Brantry, Co. Tyrone approaches his 69th birthday on 3 May, he is aligning the celebrations with yet another endurance challenge, planning to donate £888 to Action Mental Health on completion of the Belfast Marathon on the same day; a pound for every marathon pounded to date!

In the past, Eugene’s challenges for Action Mental Health have included the completion of 300 official marathons in 300 weeks. Three years later, this would become 600 marathons and last year’s Belfast event increased this figure to 800 marathons. This year Eugene has set his sights on the 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon to reach his 888th marathon, matching this with a donation of £888 to Action Mental Health.

The remarkable athlete who started running at the age of 55, finishing the 2012 Belfast Marathon, has also completed all the World Majors – London, Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo marathons, completing his 7th major in Sydney August 2025. Highlights include back-to-back 100 marathons per year in 2017 and 2018. He ran 10 marathons in 10 days finishing on 16 March 2026, the fourth time for such a challenge, and has completed many back-2-back marathons, treble and quads which entails running 2, 3 and 4 days in a row. To boost his total and reach the 888 goal Eugene has just completed another 7 marathons in 7 days in England at the beginning of April and a week before the Belfast Marathon he finished the London city marathon on the 26 April.

On three occasions he has completed 100-miler endurance races within 24 hours. One of these he finished in a time of 21:40:40 at the age of 60 at Victoria Park, Belfast. He has also completed many other smaller ultras.

Eugene said,

“Running is good for the mind, soul and body and you always meet so many like-minded people out there doing what they love best, be it Parkruns, 5k’s, half marathons, marathons or Ultras. We are all different in what we do in the running game, in the distance or pace. But the most important thing is getting out and doing it.”

Eugene continued,

“Marathons are always very tough going at times as my ambition is to do a 300 sub-4 Marathon challenge out of my total of marathons over this next couple of years which adds to the difficulty level. I find I must rely on my own mental strength and toughness to get me through, and I find that when I do it for charity that this also helps me. I hope that my efforts will maybe inspire other people to go out and do something active, as I firmly believe exercising and keeping active can help not just our physical health but our mental health too. I thought what better way to celebrate than to donate some money to Action Mental Health, to help support the vital work they do across Northern Ireland, dedicating a forthcoming 900th official marathon in the months to come for Pretty in pink.”

A member of two elite marathon clubs; 100 Marathon Club UK and Marathon Club Ireland which all his official marathons are verified through, Eugene is happy to be raising funds for Action Mental Health once again.

Jonathan Smyth, Head of Communications & Fundraising, Action Mental Health said:
“Eugene has supported Action Mental Health for many years, directly supporting our services through amazing challenges. Eugene has pledged to donate £888 to support our vital mental health services, on completion of this year’s Belfast Marathon. We know that running and all physical activity is a great way of supporting your mental health, so we are particularly delighted to be the beneficiary of this amazing challenge and wish Eugene well.”

Find out more about Fundraising

A group of 4 children laughing and smiling while sitting in a park.

AMH News

Switch off, tune in: Take on our Digital Detox for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

February 6, 2026 actionmentalhealth

A teenage girl wearing headphones and scrolling on her phone.

Switch off to tune in this February as we mark Children’s Mental Health Week with a Digital Detox challenge.

Children’s Mental Health Week takes place from 9-15 February this year. Throughout the month, we’re encouraging schools and families to give up non-essential screen time. Not as a punishment, but as a way to recharge and reconnect.

What is a digital detox?

Think of it as a mini-holiday from your devices. A digital detox just means intentionally reducing or pausing screen use to give your mind a breather. That might include smartphones, tablets, computers, consoles, and social media.

Why reducing screen time matters

Phones and social media can be fun, helpful and are part of everyday life. But now more than ever, it’s important to pay attention to our digital habits and how that affects our wellbeing.

A 2023 survey showed that 45.2% of 16-year-olds in NI have probable mental ill-health. It also found that the wellbeing of 11-year-olds was at its lowest level since 2016. Getting positive comments on social media and safety online were among the causes of stress and worry noted by young people¹.

Reducing screen time helps break cycles of comparison, overstimulation, and constant alerts that can contribute to stress and low mood. In their place, you create space for healthier habits which nurture your wellbeing.

The feel-good benefits of a digital detox

1. Lower stress & anxiety

Stepping away from constant alerts and social feeds gives your mind a well-deserved rest, easing overload and helping restore balance.

2. Better, deeper sleep

Your brain encourages the production of a chemical called melatonin when it’s tired. The bright light behind your mobile phone screen keeps the brain alert, decreasing levels of this chemical and making it harder for you to fall asleep. So no screens means better sleep!

3. More time for the things you love

Learning new things, getting active, or connecting with others are all ways you can practise the 5 steps to wellbeing. So whether it’s relaxing with a book, playing sport, or going for coffee with a friend – less scrolling means more time for things that truly nourish wellbeing.

4. Make a real difference in your community

Being sponsored for your Digital Detox efforts is a fantastic way to raise vital funds for Action Mental Health. You’ll be helping us to support children, young people and adults with our mental health services across Northern Ireland.

4 secondary school students sitting in a classroom. They are happy and smiling together.

Ready to take on the challenge?

Make the challenge work for you this February. It could mean a detox day, no social media for a week or more! Our free fundraising pack is full of ideas to help you get started – all you need to do is register.

Get creative, get sponsored, and get ready to notice the difference. Even tiny changes can make a big impact.

For more information on Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, check out our resource library.

References

1 Mental Health Champion. ‘Factors Affecting Mental Health and Wellbeing in Children and Young People in Northern Ireland’. 25 August 2023.

A Festive Splash participant on the beach. She is smiling and wearing an Action Mental Health t-shirt.

AMH News

5 ways the Festive Splash can boost your wellbeing

October 28, 2025 actionmentalhealth

Action Mental Health’s Festive Splash is back! Our annual sea-dip fundraiser returns to Crawfordsburn Beach on Sunday 7th December. We’ll gather our community together to take on a challenge and raise money for vital mental health services this Christmas.

Daring to take the dip doesn’t only support our work – it can even benefit your own mental health too! Here are 5 ways the Festive Splash can boost your wellbeing this December:

1. Enjoy a mindful moment

A cold dip in the sea is sure to bring you into the present moment and help you focus on your breathing. Practicing mindfulness like this, or taking notice of the world around you, is one of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing endorsed by the Public Health Agency.

2. Get active

Soak up mood-boosting hormones like endorphins and dopamine that are released when you exercise. Whether it’s a gentle swim or a playful splash in the waves, this is a fun opportunity to get moving at your own pace. You might even be inspired to make sea swimming a regular part of your life!

3. Immerse yourself in nature

Being surrounded by nature, and specifically near water, can have huge benefits for our wellbeing. One study¹ linked spending time in ‘blue spaces’ to a reduced risk of stress and anxiety, while in another², 65% of participants reported that it had a positive impact on their mental health.

4. Connect with others

Taking on the Festive Splash is great way to get involved with your community and meet like-minded people. You could even use it as an opportunity to gather a group of friends, family members, or colleagues and take on this fun, festive challenge together.

5. Be proud of yourself!

Braving the cold and daring to take the plunge is a great achievement in itself. On top of that, by taking part and fundraising for us, you’ll be making a real difference for those struggling with mental ill-health this Christmas.

Brave the cold and make a splash for someone this Christmas. Registration is just £15, and any further money you raise in sponsorship could help someone in your community to access the support they need.

References:

AMH News

Ready for a running challenge…?

February 27, 2025 actionmentalhealth

With many of us kick-starting the year with personal fitness goals and resolutions to prioritise our health and wellbeing in 2025, why not help both yourself and others in the process?

At Action Mental Health we have multiple opportunities throughout the year for runners to take part in a range of marathons and half-marathons, both locally and further afield. Indeed, if Belfast doesn’t appeal, then how about Vienna, Rome, Paris or Milan? The perfect opportunity to combine some sightseeing with your running, you could even make a holiday of it and book a few days away to really make the most of your trip.

Whether you’re new to running, are an occasional runner or a seasoned marathon-goer, our events are scattered across the year, so there’s plenty of time to train up for a good cause. By running on behalf of Action Mental Health you’ll subsequently help to raise awareness of our services for people in your local community as well as assisting with vital fundraising to help us continue delivering these. You’ll also have something to work towards, with a clear running goal, which will give that added sense of achievement when you complete your run.

So, this year, why not run for a reason and sign up to one of our marathons or half-marathons? Your support today will ultimately help to make someone’s tomorrow that bit brighter.

Embrace the mental and physical benefits of running

There are many benefits to running, both to our physical and mental health, so it’s a great way to keep fit and healthy, no matter what age you are. It’s also a flexible hobby as you can do it whenever suits your schedule and is relatively cheap, as the key essentials required are simply a good pair of running shoes and some appropriate running kit.

Advantages of running:

Boosts heart health: Research shows that running strengthens the heart and lowers your resting heartrate, making it more efficient. Running further reduces the risk of heart disease, as a healthier and more robust heart is less likely to succumb to illness.

Improves muscle and joint strength: Running makes your body more resilient so if you run regularly, your muscles will get stronger and this in turn will help to prevent injury. Your joints will also benefit, as research indicates that runners actually experience less wear and tear on their joints than those who don’t run.

Better mood: The so-called ‘runner’s high’ is true as it has been found that running boosts our mood and enhances mental wellbeing. It reduces feelings of stress and anxiety and makes us feel better and happier in ourselves.

Gets you out in nature: When we run outside it allows us a chance to get out and about in nature, which is also known to boost our mental wellbeing.

Improves sleep: Running, especially earlier in the day, gives us energy while ultimately tiring out our body in a good way. It means that, by the time we go to bed, our bodies are better prepared for sleeping, while the sleep we experience will be better quality as a result and we won’t find it as difficult to nod off.

Run for a reason in 2025

If you’re ready to give running a go this year then we’re currently accepting applications for our various Action Mental Health running challenges in 2025.

Having launched our “I AM SOMEONE” campaign on World Mental Health Day last October, we’re now encouraging our supporters to ‘run for someone’ by participating in one (or more!) of our marathons or half-marathons. Why not run for a reason this year and help to support people in your community who are struggling with their mental health?

Find out more about our running events here: https://www.amh.org.uk/events/

Get in touch with us to secure a running space for:

Rome: March
Vienna, Milan, Paris: April
Belfast, Prague: May
Belfast and Waterside Half-marathon: September
Dublin: October
Athens: November
Valencia: December

AMH News

Richard and Ken’s “Wee Walk” for AMH

November 4, 2014 actionmentalhealth

Local men Richard Simms and Ken Strang are trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal to raise funds for both Action Mental Health and the Child Heartbeat Trust.

Humorously and humbly entitled their “Wee Walk In The Hills”, Richard and Ken are trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. It will take them 10 days trekking to reach Base Camp at a height of 5,600 metres, where there is only 50% of the oxygen compared to sea level.

The two men will walk among 4 out of the 6 tallest mountains in the world. Including the return trek, Richard and Ken will be walking for 17 days in total.

They say they’ll need ‘a shower and a shave afterwards but it will all have been worth it.’

Richard told us he chose AMH to benefit from his fundraising challenge because:

“Having seen people very close to me suffer from mental health issues I feel very strongly about supporting charities that raise the awareness of mental health and help others in similar circumstances.”

If you would like to support these two brave men raising vital funds for mental health services in Northern Ireland, visit their Justgiving page here.