Active Suffolk - This Girl Can Suffolk

Hello

Wow, what an exciting month January was for This Girl Can Suffolk with the launch of our very first 'Virtual Activity Week'. We would like to start by thanking all those involved for their support to make the event happen - we absolutely loved it and hope you did too!!

We hope you are all managing to keep as safe and well as is possible, and hope that this newsletter will inspire and motivate you to keep positive throughout this time.

In this edition we share further details about our virtual activity week success, an inspirational story from local This Girl Can ambassador Nichola to mark #WorldCancerDay and some amazing stories from local women who have achieved the 100 miles for Suffolk Mind challenge.

This Girl Can Suffolk Virtual Activity Week

From 18th-22nd January, we launched our very first virtual online event, offering local females the opportunity to attend free physical activity sessions, talks and workshops The week was a great success and we saw 302 local women participating in activity across the five days, which is absolutely amazing! We have been overwhelmed by the response to this event so thank you to all that attended, delivered, or contributed in some way to help us make the week happen.

One participant who attended multiple sessions throughout the week told us:

I had the most wonderful week, enjoying all these new activities. Thoroughly enjoyed every moment. The sessions lifted my mood and have motivated me to get fitter. Thank you, Active Suffolk, for putting this excellent programme together. Count me in next time!

To read more about our virtual activity week, check out the full news article by clicking HERE.

Nichola Whymark tells of her tremendous journey to mark World Cancer Day

Today is #WorldCancerDay, a day which unites people, communities, and entire countries to raise awareness and take action. To mark the occasion, Nichola (pictured above), one of our local This Girl Can ambassador shares details of her 7 year battle with breast cancer. She speaks openly about her journey and touches on the way in which physical activity continued to be an important part of her life, even whilst going through treatment.

Whilst in recovery, following a major operation Nichola managed to complete a local 5k run alongside her family and friends where she said:

"After this, I had an overwhelming feeling of wanting to do more. To get fit. To use events and challenges as therapy. That event was the making of me with my recovery. The day I decided I could focus on the future and get the most out of life."

Discover more about her remarkable journey and find out what she did to keep active during last summers lockdown...truly an inspirational story, click HERE

100 Miles for Suffolk Mind

We recently teamed up with Suffolk Mind to support their 100 Miles for Suffolk Mind challenge. 15 of our local This Girl Can ambassadors signed up to the challenge, setting individual goals to achieve the 100 miles whilst inspiring other local females to join them...

Many of our ambassadors and other local women have now reached their 100 mile target and we would like to say a huge WELL DONE to you all, you are amazing! Take a look below at snippets of some of their inspiring stories they have so kindly shared with us. Could you complete the challenge?

Remember it's not too late to sign up as the challenge can be completed at anytime, at your own pace. For more information click HERE.

Participant, Jo Self's 100 mile challenge

"I have been a supporter of Suffolk Mind for several years as I am very aware that anybody can experience mental health issues at any point of their lives. Particularly over the last year, during the pandemic, we have seen a huge rise in mental health concerns and people need somewhere or someone that they can turn to for support. I felt quite helpless sitting at home and when I heard about the 100 mile challenge, it seemed a great way to support the charity and improve both my mental and physical wellbeing, not having done much physical activity for some time.

The 100 mile challenge was both mentally and physically challenging for me and other unexpected obstacles popped up along the way. However, the support I've had has been overwhelming and while on a personal level I'm really proud to have completed the challenge, I now feel much fitter and better about myself and I am thrilled that the money raised will go towards such a fantastic charity and will provide support to many people."

This Girl Can Ambassador, Michelle's 100 mile story

"On the 14^th November 2020, I decided to sign up for the 100 Miles for Suffolk Mind Challenge. At 4 months pregnant, I had decided that I would complete the challenge by cycling in the gym and going out for walks, however, that plan soon went out of the window when the government announced that gyms would once again be closing…..

Little did I know that when I started the challenge, it would actually become a saviour of mine during what has been, without a doubt, the most difficult time of my life!"

To read Michelle's full story, click HERE.

This Girl Can Ambassador, Charlotte's 100 miles throughout January

"I found that the start of 2021 was quite a dark and gloomy place mentally. We'd had our Christmas plans ruined, our house move hadn't gone to plan, and the prospect of another lockdown really hit hard. Having previously suffered with depression and anxiety from being diagnosed with PTSD I really didn't want to fall back into old ways of feeling trapped at home even without a lockdown to keep me there.

So the 100 Mile Challenge really gave me a purpose to get up and get outside to cover the mileage, some days were better than others but I managed to cover some miles every single day. I soon found that the more miles I covered the better I felt, the more I did the less stressed I felt. My walks, rides and paddles gave me much needed head space away from work and daily life (I don't run away from problems, but it does help to put them into perspective whilst you're out covering some distance)."

To read Charlotte's full story click HERE.

This Girl Can Ambassador, Rachel's Journey to 100 miles

"As I suspected I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. With being so active as I am in and outside work I will need to be careful for flare ups however the best form of exercise for arthritis is WALKING, with so many other benefits too!! And so even though I would much rather be running this I will be walking it and it will give me something to focus on.

Suffolk Mind are a fantastic cause very close to my heart as I have used their services many a times before and have helped me through some tough times.

Obviously, I will be continuing with my walking to help battle against my Rheumatoid Arthritis... because not only does it help to keep my joints strong and my muscles/tendons around them it also does wonders for the mind!!!"

To read Rachel's full story click HERE.

Find out more about the 100 Miles for Suffolk Mind challenge and the This Girl Can collaboration at www.activesuffolk.org/tgcsuffolk100

SAVE THE DATE!!

International Women's Day - 8th March 2021

We will be supporting International Women's Day on the 8th March, this years theme is #ChooseToChallenge.

How can I get involved?

•	Visit the International Women's Day Website for free virtual events throughout March
•	Take a selfie with the selfie board image below, to share ways in which you have overcome challenges. Feel free to send to us at tgc@activesuffolk.org or tag us on social media.
•	Follow the #ChooseToChallenge on social media to see updates.
•	Keep an eye out for our local ambassadors sharing ways in which they have overcome challenges through participating in sport and physical activity.