A charity worker is looking for people to nominate their favourite streets in the region – so she can pay them a visit.
Support in Mind Scotland’s Susan Robertson is taking part in the mental health organisation's 100 Streets Challenge. It sees people walk, jog, cycle or run in 100 streets to raise awareness for the charity.
And as Susan lives in a rural area, she is looking for people to suggest streets across Dumfries and Galloway she can use for the challenge.
Susan, who has recently taken up the role of the charity’s information and awareness worker for the region, said: “I live next to a field in a farmers cottage and the nearest village is Colvend which hasn’t really got any streets.
“I could go to Dalbeattie and I’m sure the people there are lovely but it’s not got a great variety of streets.
“I thought instead I could use this as an opportunity to see places across Dumfries and Galloway that I wouldn’t normally see.
“Also, from sitting in the house for three months during lockdown I have put on weight so it’s a chance to get out and about.”
The charity, which has an office in Castle Douglas and also covers Dumfries, Wigtown and parts of Nithsdale, runs the 100 Streets Challenge every year to boost its profile with those taking part also welcome to fundraise if they
wish.
The scheme runs for six months from April finishing on World Mental Health Day, October 10.
As well as encouraging other people to take part, Susan is also hoping to raise the profile of some of the region’s “hidden gems” with a Facebook page keeping track of her challenge.
She added: “I am really looking for a platform that could encourage many people to get involved and showcase some of the attractions in their area.
“Tourism is suffering under the restrictions and I’m hopeful that with the Facebook page I’ve created I can boost local places of interest, as well as awareness of carers and the benefits of exercise.
“I hope to provide updates on my Facebook page with photographs of the places I visit. It may even be possible to send a small token of appreciation to those readers that nominate a street which I then visit.”
The Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Susans-DG-100-Streets-Challenge-for-Support-in-Mind-Scotland-100535655049222/.
Susan can also be contacted on srobertson@supportinmindscotland.org.uk
