KEIGHLEY-based mental health organisation #ItsWorthTalkingAbout – which is behind several peer support groups in the area – is launching a new running session at the town's Cliffe Castle this Sunday (April 18).

Dubbed #ItsWorthRunningAbout, the scheme is being organised by running enthusiast Martin Southam.

He started running as part of the Red January campaign last year and has now clocked-up over 450 consecutive days of 5k runs, in an effort to promote exercise as a form of wellbeing.

The new, free sessions are for people of all ages and abilities – and participants can run, jog or walk.

Martin says: "The discipline of running every day has been difficult but the positive energy I gain after the runs has really helped my mental health. And integrating my Sunday activity with #ItsWorthTalkingAbout will not only vary it for me, but hopefully I can share my passion for exercise with others."

Ryan Anderton, a founder of #ItsWorthTalkingAbout, also advocates exercise as a wellbeing tool.

He said: "Martin has attended several of our Monday groups in Keighley and when he suggested a 'parkrun-type' mental health run we immediately wanted to support him – and we hope that others will too.

"Lockdown has been a trying time and many people's mental health and fitness levels have deteriorated. We hope this can be a small step in helping people improve both their mental and physical health now that restrictions are easing."

Meeting at the main doors of Cliffe Castle Museum, the sessions will comprise one or two laps of the gardens. Participants will receive a certificate of completion and a goodie bag. The first 12 to join will also get a limited edition #ItsWorthRunningAbout T-shirt.

For more details and to sign-up, visit facebook.com/Itsworthtalkingabout/events.