October Mental Health Month

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Join the Havin’ a Laugh Steps Challenge – Starting Now!

It’s the final days of October, let’s finish strong together!
Kickstart your journey with a Spooky Step today (fancy dress photos most welcome! 👻), set your step goal, sign up, and help raise vital funds to support positive mental health through outdoor and creative activities.

How to Get Involved — 3 Simple Steps

1️⃣ Take Your Spooky Step!

Walk, jog, or run — every step counts.
Snap a photo in your Halloween best and share the fun!

2️⃣ Set Your Step Goal

Choose your challenge, for ONE FULL MONTH complete:

  • 10,000 steps / day
  • 25,000 steps / day
  • 50,000 steps / day
    or go beyond if you’re feeling brave! 🕸️

3️⃣ Sign Up & Donate

Create your own fundraising page — choose what works best for you:

OPTION 1: GoFundMe

  1. Go to gofundme.com
  2. Click Start a GoFundMe
  3. Log in or create an account
  4. Set your fundraising goal (€100–€250 suggested)
  5. Fundraiser title:
    “My Steps Challenge for Havin’ a Laugh – October Mental Health Month”
  6. Add your story + photos (template available below)
  7. Select Havin’ a Laugh Charity as the beneficiary
  8. Share your page on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
  9. Post weekly updates with your progress & step totals!

OPTION 2: iDonate (Ireland-based)

  1. Go to idonate.ie
  2. Click Start Fundraising → Create Fundraising Page
  3. Search Havin’ a Laugh
  4. Choose the event type: Personal Challenge / Steps Challenge
  5. Set your fundraising target (€100–€250 suggested)
  6. Add your story + cover photo
  7. Publish & Share your page on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
  8. Post weekly updates with your progress & step totals!

When You Hit Your Goal

✅ Share your total step count on social media
✅ Thank your donors & supporters
✅ Send any offline donations through our website:
havinalaugh.com/donate/

🎃 Together, we’re taking brave, bold and spooky steps for mental health!
Let’s make every step count. 💛

How to Track Your Steps (Quick Guide)

You can track steps with a smartphone, smartwatch, or a simple estimate, whatever suits you best.

If You Use an iPhone

Apple Health (built-in)

  • Open Health → Browse → Activity → Steps
  • Keep your phone on you; steps are counted automatically
  • Tap the ★ to add Steps to Favourites for quick access

If You Use an Android Phone

Google Fit (free)

  • Install Google Fit from the Play Store
  • Open the app and enable Activity Tracking
  • Carry your phone during the day to log steps

If You Use a Watch or Fitness Band

Most devices track steps automatically. Sync with the companion app:

  • Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Apple Watch

No Smartphone or Tracker? Estimate from Distance or Time

Most adults take ~1,250–1,500 steps per kilometre (varies by height & pace). Use this quick guide:

DistanceApprox. Steps
1 km1,300 steps
2 km2,600 steps
5 km6,500 steps
10 km13,000 steps

Or count by time at a steady walk:

  • 10 minutes ≈ 1,000 steps
  • 30 minutes ≈ 3,000 steps
  • 60 minutes ≈ 6,000 steps

Tip: Count your steps for 1 minute, then multiply by total minutes walked for a handy estimate.

Keep Motivation High

  • Share weekly screenshots or totals on your fundraising page
  • Post updates on social media and tag Havin’ a Laugh Charity
  • Use #HavinaLaugh #StepsForMentalHealth #OctoberChallenge
  • Thank supporters as you hit milestones

Note: Step counts are estimates and can vary with stride length, terrain, and speed, good enough for the challenge!