Raj Aggarwal, NPA Board member and owner of Central Pharmacy in Cardiff

All staff and board members of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) are aiming to raise £100,000 for the mental health charity Mind.

As part of the NPA’s centenary celebrations, Board member Raj Aggarwal and his pharmacy team will visit pharmacies in Cardiff during a sponsored ‘race against the clock’ walk on Friday (July 2).

The walk, lasting about a 100 minutes, will also raise awareness of the support pharmacies provide to people with mental health problems.

Aggarwal, who also runs Central Pharmacy in Cardiff, said: “Pharmacy teams are concerned with the wellbeing of the whole person – mind as well as body.

“Mental illness touches the lives of most people and I’m proud to be part of this initiative to raise funds for Mind, which does such vital work across Wales to help people with mental health problems.

“We hope this event will lift the spirits of pharmacy staff in the middle of a busy working day. They should be proud of their role in serving the people of Cardiff.”

Emma Ihsan, head of corporate partnerships at Mind, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the National Pharmacy Association for choosing to mark its 100th year by raising funds to support people experiencing mental health problems in the UK.

“During the pandemic, millions of us have experienced a mental health problem, or seen a loved one struggle for the first time in our lives, and Mind’s services have never been more in demand.

“The funds donated by the NPA will help us be there for as many people who need us as possible and will help Mind to fight for change, for fairness, for respect and for life-changing support.”

As part of its centenary celebrations, the NPA is raising funds for three mental health charities – Mind (England and Wales), Inspire Wellbeing (Northern Ireland) and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Those willing to support the campaign can do so by visiting this website.

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