Pictured left to right: Swansea University Student's Union's Welfare Officer Abigail Egwuatu, President Esyllt Rosser, and Student Groups and Engagement Coordinator Tom Weller.
Swansea University has signed a three-year deal to become the headline sponsor for the multi-award-winning Swansea Half Marathon.
The sponsorship forms part of the University’s Making Strides for Mental Health campaign, which raises funds for essential world-class research into suicide prevention, along with mental health and wellbeing support for Swansea University students.
As a registered charity, Swansea University is encouraging people to run the half marathon on its behalf, with all funds raised going towards:
- Funding research by the world-leading mental health researcher Professor Ann John into suicide prevention across the globe.
- Establishing a Student Nursing Hub to support nursing students’ mental health and create a more resilient NHS workforce.
- Making exercise more accessible to students to help with their mental health and wellbeing.
A number of free entry places will be available for people who pledge to raise more than £200 for the University’s Making Strides campaign, with a further general discount available to students, staff and 150 graduates.
This year’s Swansea Half Marathon, twice named the UK’s best half marathon, will be held on Sunday 11 June.
JCP Solicitors sponsored the event since its inception in 2014 and will now join the list of silver sponsor partners, along with chartered accountants Matthews & Co, and HMT Sancta Maria Hospital.
Professor Paul Boyle, Swansea University Vice-Chancellor, said: “Swansea University has a proud sporting tradition and we are therefore delighted to sponsor this year’s Swansea Half Marathon, which has become one of the highlights in our city’s annual calendar. The race serves as a powerful motivator for people to adopt healthier lifestyles, which aligns with our University’s own strategic ambitions to support the health and wellbeing of our broader community.
“As a registered charity, we channel many of our donations towards world-class research and student support and are pleased to have established our Making Strides for Mental Health campaign for this year’s race. Funds raised for this campaign will help our researchers to continue making ground-breaking discoveries and will ensure that our students are able to excel and are supported through any mental health challenges they may face.”
Esyllt Rosser, President of Swansea University Students’ Union welcomed the announcement: “The Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost-of-living crisis have both had a significant impact on our students’ mental health and wellbeing, and so we’re delighted that the university’s Making Strides Campaign will raise vital funds to help support our students’ mental health, helping to ensure they get the most out of their university experience.”
Swansea Half Marathon Race Director Tash Smith said: “We are very excited to be working with Swansea University for the event in 2023 and look forward to developing a strong relationship and plans for the future. Preparation for this year’s Swansea Half Marathon is well under way and we can’t wait to welcome our incredible runners back to Swansea once again.
“We’d like to thank JCP Solicitors for all their support and dedication over the past eight years, and we’d also like to welcome Swansea University to our half marathon family.”
Register to run on behalf of Swansea University at this year’s Swansea Half Marathon.
Find out more about the Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon and how you can join us as we #RunSwansea.