A four-year-old Barnsley girl is taking on the challenge of cycling 100 miles throughout March and April to raise awareness and funds for the charity Rethink Mental Health.
Chelsea Ellis, from Kendray, has managed to raise £350 so far after making pictures with uplifting messages and numbers for different helplines to put up around the neighbourhood.
Chelsea’s uplifting and informational cards
Chelsea is inspired by her own mother’s struggles. Keeley Ellis, 26, a law student, struggled with poor mental health and substance abuse as a teenager and had to go to a crisis shelter because of it. Rethink Mental Illness was there for her through that trying time.
She said: “I explained to her that sometimes when people feel sad, they need a bit of help getting better. Even though I don’t need their services anymore, I know others do and I want them to know the support is available.”
The happy little girl, who hates the idea of being sad and wanted to do something to spread a bit of joy in the community, said: “I want to help people like mummy.”
Chelsea recently learned how to ride her bike without stabilisers and this was the perfect time to practice her new skills.
The pair are also planning a socially distanced Easter Egg hunt in Locke Park, Barnsley on 3 April. They plan on printing a list of activities for kids. The event will be free, and any donations will go to Rethink Mental Illness.
Supermarket chain Morrison’s has gifted the pair with 20 Easter eggs for the event.
Miss Ellis says even when these events are over, they plan to continue to perform acts of kindness like this in the future.
Chelsea’s donation page can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/430300131389085/2853209501587256/ and information about Rethink Mental Illness can be found here: https://www.rethink.org/
Rethink Mental Illness logo