Local networking group JCI Cambridge is teaming up with SMART Massage to hold a massage-athon to raise money for its charity of the year, Mind in Cambridgeshire.

The event will be held at health food shop Revital, Bridge Street, Cambridge on Saturday 10 August at 10.00am and will see sports massage therapist Kelly Tennick, owner of SMART MASSAGE, complete 262 minutes of massage in one day. Kelly will be offering members of the public ten minute back and shoulder massages in return for a donation to Mind in Cambridgeshire.

Kelly, who also specialises in equine massage and is community director at JCI Cambridge, said: “I’m really excited to be taking on this challenge. When I was thinking of ways to raise money for JCI Cambridge’s charity of the year, I knew I wanted to use my professional skills to help. I need 27 willing people to achieve my target of 262 minutes of massage in one day and hope the Revital’s customers are in the giving spirit on 10 August!”

At the start of 2013, JCI Cambridge pledged its support to Mind in Cambridgeshire through volunteer time and raising vital funds for the charity. It also aimed to send eight of its members on the accredited Mental Health First Aid Course to help them recognise the early signs of mental health problems in young people. It is hoped the massage-athon will help fund two members to take part in this course.

James Mitchell, president of JCI Cambridge, said: “Mental health is something that JCI Cambridge is really passionate about. We are pleased to be working with Mind in Cambridgeshire to increase awareness of mental health issues in the local community and hope to raise enough money from the massage-athon to send some of our members on this course.”