Check out the FAQs about 10,000 steps a day in October challenge. If your question isn't answered, email us at [email protected]
Challenge
10,000 steps a day in October is a virtual fundraising challenge. It encourages you to complete 10,000 steps a day throughout October, whilst also raising funds to fight for better mental health.
Registration
To get started, simply join our Facebook group. Once in the group you’ll be able to set up your fundraising page. You can then request your free Mind t-shirt and progress tracker. By joining the Facebook group our friendly team will be on hand to support you, offer tips and answer any questions, as well as cheer you on!
We’ll send you a free t-shirt and tracker to thank you for you efforts and your support. If you raise £150 we’ll also send you an exclusive 10,000 steps a day in October medal!
The 10,000 Steps a day in October Facebook group opens on 2 September 2024, and the challenge starts on 1 October through to 31 October.
No, it’s free to sign up for 10,000 steps a day in October challenge.
Yes, of course. You can register by filling in this form and creating your JustGiving fundraising page instead.
When creating your fundraiser, you have the option to choose between using Facebook or JustGiving. Both platforms have the same goal of helping you raise funds for your challenge.
If you don't frequently use Facebook and your friends and family aren't on it, we recommend setting up a JustGiving page instead.
Please note that using both platforms will not automatically combine your fundraising and the totals will remain separate on our records.
Please delete the page you’re not using to avoid any confusion. If you need any help with this, email us at [email protected]
When setting up 10,000 steps a day in October fundraising page you will be sent a free Mind t-shirt and step tracker to record your daily steps. Please allow up to 14 days to receive these after you have set up your fundraiser. If you haven't received these after 14 days, then please let us know on the Facebook group or email us at [email protected]. Thank you for your patience.
Check out our t-shirt size guide.
If it’s been more than 14 days since you’ve set up your fundraising page (please check if you’ve registered and received a confirmation email from us) and you still haven’t received your t-shirt, please let us know on the Facebook group or email us at [email protected] (don’t forget to include your full name, email address and the date you registered).
It’s completely up to you! You could use a smartphone app of your choice (Strava, Fitbit, etc) and record your daily steps on your 10,000 steps a day in October paper step tracker (which we will post to you after you’ve signed up). You can also find a digital version here.
You can take part at any age. However, you must be over 18 to set up a fundraising page, unless under the direct supervision of an adult. Please drop up an email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Of course! You can choose to do more steps less frequently.
If you’re unable to complete 10,000 every day in October, that’s okay too. You can extend your challenge to November, if it helps. It’s also okay to finish with less than 10,000 steps a day. Remember, raising money and awareness for mental health is the most important thing.
Absolutely! Whether you want to inspire your family to create positive new habits, or encourage some friendly competition amongst your friends and colleagues – 10,000 steps a day in October could be even more fun when you’ve got teammates to keep you motivated.
JustGiving team pages allow you and your teammates to join your individual fundraising pages together to contribute to an overall total. They’re great if you want to raise money separately whilst still contributing to a larger team goal! There's a JustGiving guide on how to do this.
There is no need for you to prove to us that you have completed your 10,000 steps a day in October challenge. However, we would love to hear your updates and how you’re getting on by sharing this on the 10,000 steps a day in October Facebook group.
Participating in the 10,000 steps a day in October challenge can positively impact your mental health. However, it's crucial to recognize that everyone has varying preferences, tolerances, and fitness levels. It's essential to prioritise rest and recovery when needed. Incorporating rest days or low-intensity activities, such as a short, gentle walk, into your routine can help achieve a healthy balance. Remember to stay mindful of your body's needs and limitations.
Fundraising
You can get fundraising in just a few clicks. Simply complete the registration form and your personal fundraising page will be created. Share your page with your family and friends and ask them to support your efforts and donate to the cause.
Make use of our digital assets to help you in your fundraising journey.
We’ll be on hand in the Facebook group to provide helpful tips and support your fundraising efforts throughout the challenge.
Additionally, we’ve put together a welcome pack that includes a page full of fundraising tips to help you reach your goals.
Yes. The easiest way is to collect their donation offline and donate it to your fundraiser yourself. You can print off our sponsorship form to keep track of your offline donations. Or you can direct your sponsors to your JustGiving page if you choose to fundraise off Facebook.
If someone wants to donate to your 10,000 steps a day in October fundraiser but would prefer to donate offline, the best thing is to collect their donation offline and pay it into your personal bank account. You can then donate it directly to your fundraiser yourself.
You can use our sponsorship form to keep track of your offline donations.
There are a few things they can try to make sure their donation goes through:
- Try donating from a different device or a different browser
- Set up two factor authentication (instructions below)
- Tap in the top right of Facebook
- Scroll down to settings
- Tap password and security
- Scroll down and tap Use two-factor authentication
- Choose the security method and follow the on-screen instructions
- Or, give you cash or pay the funds into your bank account and then you can make a donation onto your own fundraising page on their behalf.
No, there’s no minimum fundraising amount. The default amount on each fundraiser is set at £150 but you can edit this amount. All that we ask is that you raise as much as you can. Every penny you raise will go towards providing lifesaving information and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. As a thank you we’ll send you a 10,000 steps a day in October medal when you raise £150 or more.
If you type 'fundraiser' in Facebook search bar, it should come up. If you still can't find it, please ask our admins in the Facebook group or email us at [email protected]
To edit your Facebook fundraising page, please follow these steps:
If you’re using a phone/tablet:
- Open up your fundraiser
- Press the pencil button
- Press edit fundraiser
If you’re using a laptop/desktop:
- Open up your fundraiser
- Press the three dots
- Press edit fundraiser
To edit your JustGiving page, please log into your account and follow these steps:
- Click the arrow next to your name in the top right corner
- Click ‘fundraising’
- Find your page and click on edit below
- Edit your page title/fundraising target/personalise your page/photo
Whether you fundraise using JustGiving or Facebook, there is a small processing fee which we have no control over. Find out more about about these fees below.
If you have fundraised through a Facebook or JustGiving fundraising page, then there is nothing you need to do. All donations will automatically come directly to Mind (the amount will still show on your fundraiser even after we have received the funds). If you have offline fundraising to pay in, we suggest paying this into your own bank account and then onto your fundraising page yourself. However, if you would prefer to send us your offline fundraising a different way please email [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help with this.
10,000 steps a day in October is a fundraising challenge created by national Mind, with all fundraising and registrations completed through this site supporting the work of national Mind. The Mind network is a federated structure with each local Mind being an independent charity and responsible for their own fundraising. While we have similar aims and values, we fulfil slightly different roles. National Mind provides the nationwide information services, Infoline, and campaign nationally for support and respect for everyone experiencing a mental health problem. This structure allows the local Minds to work on front line services specifically for the communities that they work with.
If you would like to fundraise for your local Mind please get in touch with them directly. We know they’d love to hear from you.
Because 10,000 steps a day in October is a fundraising challenge, we would ask that you try and fundraise if taking part in the challenge. However, we recognise that times are tough and not everyone will be in the position to donate as much or as often. We will be at hand to provide support and tips throughout the challenge. Every penny you raise is hugely appreciated and will go towards providing life changing support for those living with a mental health problem.
Congratulations on raising such an impressive amount! We will be sending 10,000 steps a day in October medals on a weekly basis from the beginning of September. Please expect to receive your medal within 14 days of raising £150. If you haven’t received if after 14 days, please contact us at [email protected]
Making a difference
If you take on a challenge for Mind, together we can do bigger and better things for mental health care.
There are currently more than 2 million people on waiting lists for mental health support. The money you raise will go towards running our vital services, like our Infoline and online community, Side by Side. It will help us make those services even better, and it’ll help us create new services to meet the enormous need.
Learn more about our impact and how we spend our money.
