Principal takes on 65-mile challenge to raise funds and awareness for student wellbeing and mental health

Published On Tue 18 Sep 2018 by Christina Miller

Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal of the University of Dundee, will embark on a 65-mile challenge later this week in a bid to raise funds and awareness for student mental health and wellbeing. The Principal’s Challenge 2018, taking place on Friday, will include a 60-mile ‘Tour de Tay’ cycle via Perth, a row across the River Tay from Wormit to Broughty Ferry, and a 5k fun run on the University of Dundee city campus.

Following the success of last year’s event which raised over £25,000, this year’s Principal’s Challenge is over a different, longer and more challenging route, as a way to mark Professor Sir Pete’s final year as Principal of the University of Dundee before his retirement at the end of 2018.

In 2017, the University of Dundee held the first Principal’s Challenge, raising over £25,000 for various University projects. This year, the University seeks to surpass last year’s total raised in order to enable more students to benefit from physical activity, student counselling, and hardship funds with the funds raised from the Principal’s Challenge 2018.

The 60-mile cycle will be led by Professor Sir Pete and his wife, Elizabeth together with an experienced group of cyclists from around the University, and accompanied by games entrepreneur and honorary graduate Chris van der Kuyl.

The Principal is encouraging the University community of staff, students and alumni to get involved by joining him on the 5k fun run (or walk) around campus, which will see performances around the route from music societies and sports clubs as a way to encourage and motivate participants.

Professor Sir Pete said: “Our vision and values as a leading Scottish university mean that the wellbeing of our students is of the utmost importance to the University, and to me personally.

“The day is centred on physical activity because of its known benefits to mental wellbeing, and staff and students are encouraged to get involved either by taking part in the fun run or by cheering on.

“Of course, we are raising awareness by being out in the city and on campus, but it’s the funds raised that provide the opportunity for us to make a real difference to our students’ mental health and wellbeing - any donations will be gratefully received by everyone involved.”

In association with the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE), there will be activity on the city campus for staff and students during the week running up to the Principal’s Challenge, such as silent walking discos, sports taster sessions provided by DUSA’s Sports Unions, and free exercises classes at ISE.

Registration is £10 and is open to all staff, students and alumni of the University of Dundee. To register or donate please visit the everydayhero fundraising page. https://www.everydayhero.co.uk/event/Challenge2018

Registration will close on Thursday 20 September 2018, or when the race limit of 300 participants has been reached. All proceeds will go towards student mental health and wellbeing at the University of Dundee.