Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale Mind is inviting families, friends and festive fanatics to lace up their trainers and don their best elf outfits as the charity’s much-loved Mental Elf Fun Run heads to Dalby Forest on Sunday.
The event promises a magical day of festive fun, fitness, and fundraising – all in support of local mental health services. Participants can choose between a 3k or 5k festive fun run, which can be walked, jogged or run, with fancy dress strongly encouraged.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Alongside the run, visitors can explore a Christmas market packed with local stalls and festive treats, enjoy family activities and games, meet Santa himself in the grotto, and watch special festive performances.
Hayley Doubtfire, Funding and Communications Coordinator at Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind, told us it's one of her favourite events:
" It is really festive. It is really fun. We've got loads of elves at out and about. We encourage people to dress up, but really it's a fundraising event, so it is raising funds for local mental health services. One of the biggest causes of mental health difficulties that we do see is people. They're lonely and obviously at Christmas it can exasperate that, can't it?
"You people feel more lonely and more isolated, and we aim to help people feel less isolated and less lonely. But we need support to do that, which is why we are putting on this huge event to try and raise as much money as possible to support those people."
Tickets for the fun run are £12 for adults and £10 for children, with family, team and fundraiser ticket options also available.
All proceeds from the event go directly to Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind, helping the local charity deliver support, advice, and life-changing mental health services to people across the region.
Local businesses, makers, and creatives are also invited to host a stall at the Christmas market. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase products, connect with the community, and be part of a festive event that makes a real difference. Stall spaces are limited, and booking is essential – more details are available on the SWR Mind website.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday 30th November 2025
- Time: 10am – 2pm (Fun run starts at 11am)
- Location: Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
- Tickets: Available now at www.swrmind.org.uk
Hayley says it's not too late to get involved:
"So the event is a 3k and a 5k run through the forest.
"Tickets are available online at swrmind.org.uk or people can just turn up on the day and then we also have a Santa's grotto, a couple of festive stalls and loads of performances throughout the day as well from our cheeky little elves that will be around the place.
"So yeah, we have a range of tickets child tickets, adult tickets, family tickets, team tickets. So really there's a way for everybody to come and get involved and have a good time."
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