Fundraising on course for special books from Suffolk Mind
Organisations are promising to help
Last updated 5th Apr 2021
A number of local organisations have joined in Suffolk Mind's project to fund a book linking exercise to mental health for every reception aged child (four-to-five-years-old) in Suffolk.
Suffolk Mind launched a Crowdfunding appeal on World Book Day (Thursday 4 March) and have raised £6,935 so far. They are hoping to reach a target of £40,000 to be able to publish 8,000 books teaching children about the benefits of exercise on their mental health, in a fun, colourful way.
The picture book is based on the character Sammy the Sea Squirt, who moves with ocean friends to look after memory and emotions. Head of Education at Suffolk Mind, Ezra Hewing, has written the story, and a local children's illustrator has brought the characters to life. Public Health Suffolk have organised the distribution to the school children.
The East of England Co-op are backing the Crowdfunding campaign and have pledged to give 10% of whatever is raised.
Niall O'Keeffe, Joint Chief Executive for the East of England Co-op, said:
"The past year has highlighted the importance of wellbeing and physical activity for people of all ages. This storybook is an engaging and fun way to encourage children to think about how they can be more active, and provides parents and carers with an opportunity to start conversations about wellbeing, which will also help them in later life. Getting a copy of this book to all four to five year olds is something we're very proud to support."
TREATT PLC are among other local people and organisations to support the project, having pledged £1,000 to help Suffolk Mind reach their target.
Ezra Hewing said:
"We want say a massive thank you to these organisations and any other person who has donated to our Sammy the Sea Squirt campaign. This is a very important project, to educate children on how to look after their mental health now and into adulthood.
"Movement and exercise makes the heart and body strong and healthy, but it also burns off harmful stress hormones to stop them damaging children's brains when they are at their most vulnerable. Help us to support our future generations by getting our Sammy the Sea Squirt book into the hands of every four-five-year-old in Suffolk."