Everton's annual fun run returns to raise money for mental health support on Merseyside

Families from across Merseyside and beyond are set to come together for a special charity run as Everton in the Community relaunches its annual If You Know Your History 5K fun run event.

The fun run, which takes place on World Mental Health Day (Sunday 10 October), is the charity’s first fundraising event to take place since before the pandemic, inviting participants of all ages to run, jog, walk or even crawl the 5K route.

Set up in 2019, the Everton-themed event takes supporters on a journey of the Club’s history, beginning at the heart of Everton’s badge, Prince Rupert’s Tower, and finishing outside Goodison Park.

And this year, the run will raise funds for The People’s Place, a purpose-built mental health facility in L4 which will promote positive mental health and wellbeing, delivering services including suicide awareness and prevention.

Richard Kenyon, CEO of Everton in the Community, said:

“We’re excited to have this run back in our calendar of activities – and to be able to welcome people back to taking part in a mass participation event, the first we have held for some time.

Duncan Ferguson and fan taking part

“We will have the virtual option available as well – as we did last year, with great support from runners across the world – but it will be great to see the camaraderie among those taking part in person as we follow the historic route through our local community.

“The event, which is for people of all ages, both runners and walkers, will be raising money for our People’s Place project – a purpose-built mental health facility which is needed more than ever as we tackle the impact of the pandemic.”

Participants are being encouraged to sign up with friends and family members and join with fellow Evertonians to reflect on the past year together.

Richard added: “If You Know Your History is definitely not exclusively for pro-runners – we want people of all abilities to get involved and show their support, from tots through to grandparents.

“We are a charity created for our community, so it’s important to us that our first event since the beginning of the pandemic runs right through the heart of our local community, bringing together fans from across Liverpool and beyond.”