We are delighted to announce ultrarunner and mental health advocate Conor O'Keeffe as the new Walk in My Shoes Ambassador.
We at Walk in My Shoes (WIMS) are very excited to announce ultramarathon runner Conor O’Keeffe as our new ambassador.
Conor is a passionate spokesperson for positive mental health. For World Mental Health Day on 10 October, he joins us inviting you, no matter where you are in Ireland, to put on your finest funky shoes and get out into nature to walk for your wellbeing.
You can share your pictures of walking in your funky shoes as we create a splash of colour across social media to highlight positivity, hope and recovery, and to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #WIMSLive!
Tag us on Instagram to take partRaising mental health awareness
Speaking about becoming a WIMS Ambassador, Conor said: “I am looking forward to working with WIMS over the coming year to raise awareness of mental health, tackle mental health stigma, and to, most importantly, encourage everyone to find ways that they can mind their own mental health and foster wellbeing in their day-to-day lives.”
“As someone who has experienced mental health difficulties for many years, from my late teens and into my 20s, I know the importance of seeking help for your mental health, if required, and finding ways to nurture your wellbeing.”
“I am delighted to be taking part in this year’s World Mental Health Day, encouraging everyone to take some time for themselves, or with their loved ones, to focus on positivity, wellbeing and to reconnect.”
Paul Gilligan, Chief Executive Officer of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, added: “We are delighted to have Conor on board as WIMS Ambassador, and look forward to working with him on World Mental Health Day and over the coming year as we continue to raise awareness about mental health.”
“Having open and honest conversations about mental health and how to seek support when needed, along with finding ways to manage and maintain your wellbeing, are all important steps in fostering positive mental health. This World Mental Health Day, we’re reminding everyone that mental health difficulties do not need to be a barrier to leading a successful, fulfilling life, and that recovery is always possible.”
Marking World Mental Health Day
To mark World Mental Health Day, we will also be partnering with AVOCA to offer some wellbeing activities as part of our WIMS Live programme:
- On Saturday, 9 October, AVOCA will be hosting a virtual slow flow yoga class in partnership with WIMS. You can watch the class at any time during the day from AVOCA’s Instagram page
- On Sunday, 10 October, AVOCA will waive access fees to their gardens at Mount Usher, and encourage anyone who can to step out in style for a wellbeing walk. Conor will be joining the celebrations at Mount Usher.
In addition to collaborating for World Mental Health Day, AVOCA has also named WIMS as its 2021 Christmas charity partner.
