Students and coaches at Velocity Football have raised more than £1,000 for mental health charity Sport in Mind by being active throughout last month via Red January.
Female students combined their current studies at home with additional training by running an outstanding 1,225 miles virtually. While male students worked hard to record personal best times over five kilometres throughout the month.
The collective team effort was completed via running app Strava by students studying Velocity Football’s full-time sports-based education programmes based at Oxford City FC. Tutors and coaches also took part in the daily efforts in support of Red January’s fundraising campaign for Sport in Mind. The charity improves the lives of people experiencing mental health problems via sport and physical activity.
Red January is an annual fundraising initiative that encourages people to support a chosen charity each January by doing something active for each of the 31 days in the month.
Justin Merritt, director of Velocity Football, said students should be “incredibly proud” of their proactive approach during the latest national lockdown to help benefit the lives of people living in the local community via the power of sport.
He added: “Sport in Mind is an excellent charity that uses sport to help improve the lives of others, which are values we share at Velocity Football. Completing Red January was an ideal way to support Sport in Mind and give something back while our partners at Ignite Sport UK are unable to deliver traditional sessions in association with the charity.
“Our students and colleagues have embraced both the fundraising and physical aspects of Red January. The initiative acted as a fantastic way for everyone to remain engaged with their studies while they learn from home. I’d like to personally thank everyone at Velocity Football they have – literally – gone the extra mile to support the work of this fantastic charity.”
Leading the female chart was Chelsea Cox who clocked an outstanding 103 miles throughout the month, followed by Bailee Lattimer (72 miles) and Tia Herbert (71 miles). Noa Ben Adel recording the fastest 5K time for the boys in 19:20 with Luke and Dan Stokoe closely behind.
Mickey Lewis, Head Coach of Velocity Football’s male programme, said: “It got competitive towards the end, all students were naturally pushing each other to record the fastest time possible.
“They are qualities we have witnessed both on the pitch and in the classroom at Velocity Football within the students. Everyone is willing to work hard for one-another and it has generated a fantastic feel-good spirit. Well done to everyone who got involved with Red January and raised vital funds for a worthwhile cause.”
Red January is an annual fundraising initiative that encourages people to support a chosen charity each January by doing something active for each of the 31 days in the month.
Velocity Football’s BTEC, Higher National Certificate (HNC), and Higher National Diploma (HND) courses provide 16- to 23-year-olds with the education, experience and opportunities to follow a career in sport.
For further information about Velocity Football visit: www.velocityfootball.co.uk
