JANUARY is more than just a red letter day for a Reading-based sporting company, it’s a red letter month.
Decathlon, which has a branch in the Forbury Retail Park, is taking part in RED January, an initiative aimed at helping people get active to boost their mental health.
Participants are encouraged to “Move every day, your way”, be it a run, cycling, or simply walking. Physical activity is proven to help reduce stress levels, anxiety and depression, all of which works to improve mental health.
To help, Decathlon has launched a new range of co-branded merchandise, including T-shirts made with an Eco-design fabric, and a RED January snood. Profits from the range will be donated to UK mental health sports’ charity, Sport in Mind.
January is typically a challenging month for many people’s mental health and following the past two years,
Hannah Beecham, founder and CEO of RED January, says: “I was originally inspired to start RED January after witnessing the transformative effect that regular movement had on my mum’s mental health. Since then, over 250,000 people have kick started their year in a positive way.
“We know that the nation needs a positive goal to get them through this challenging period in time, and we strongly believe that RED January 2022 can help.”
Participants can pick their own favourite way to move and set their own goals for activity levels. While many do an activity they know well, more than a quarter (28%) pick a new one.
Chris Gilroy, marketing and communications director at Decathlon UK, added: “As one of the UK’s largest sports providers, we strongly believe in our responsibility to help empower the British public to get physically active and healthy through a passion for sport.
“We are very proud to partner with RED January because we’ve seen the impact it has on people’s lives. We want to bring the joy and benefits of sport to everyone in the UK and this partnership represents our commitment to improving the lives of British people. So, let’s go RED for January, and move for our mind.”
To get involved, log on to redtogether.co.uk
