A mental health charity off Mare Street is appealing for runners to take on the Hackney Half in the wake of government cuts.

Mind in Hackney, in Tudor Road, hopes to raise £30,000 through the race on May 20 by setting 100 aspiring athletes the target of £300 sponsorship each.

It’s part of a much bigger cash drive to the tune of £100,000 and marks the charity’s first time in the race.

Krishna Maharaj, the chief exec for Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, said: ”Funds from the Hackney Half will be used for services like Mind Kit, a peer-led program delivered in schools by volunteers to provide students with the tools to cope with mental health issues.

“Funding, however, will also provide support for complex clients with mental health issues who are also disabled or have learning disabilities, as there are very few services for these people.”

Charity spokeswoman Amy Byrne added: “The Hackney Half is a really good opportunity for us as it’s just on our doorstep. It runs past Broadway Market and past the Hackney Empire.”

The local Mind was set up in 1981 to support families of people with mental health issues and expanded to offer psychology, well being and advocacy services.

The Mind Kit project relies on volunteers who have had their own mental health issues in the past, and have now recovered, for projects like Mind Kit. They’re better able to support people with mental health issues because service users can relate to them, says the charity’s Rowan Lewis.

E-mail community.fundraising@mindchwf.org.uk if you would like to run the half-marathon for Mind in Hackney.