A Stockport councillor is taking part in an exercise challenge to raise funds for a local mental health charity that helped people close to her.

Councillor Rachel Bresnahan, Liberal Democrat councillor for Romiley and Bredbury, is raising funds for the charity Stockport Community Counselling.

She will take on various exercise challenges in April to double her step count and encourage people in the community to enjoy the outdoors for their mental health.

Rachel said: "The idea is that if I could get people moving, then that could be something that would support their mental health.

"I picked exercise this year because going out in fresh air and sunshine has a positive impact on your mental health.

"Anything that we can do to just promote people having conversations about mental health, people getting out, and people being aware of wellness, would be a massive benefit."

The councillor, who lives in Romiley, has been challenging herself every day to do something different, whether it's going for a walk with her step-children or joining the local netball club.

The challenge is also taking place on her birthday month, where it's become a tradition for her to fundraise for a charity in celebration.

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Her first fundraiser was during lockdown in 2020, when she dropped off party bags on doorsteps for children in the area with a link to her fundraising page.

She fundraised an amazing £200 and never looked back.

Rachel is also the founder and director of Cherry Tree Project, a youth-led community group in Romiley that supports young people with weekly sessions and activities.

The young people at the centre have been enthusiastic about her fundraising efforts, helping her raise money through their danceathons during the school holidays.

"I've always worked in my community. I'm a big believer that if everyone just makes a difference in their little area, the world would be better," she added.

"If someone came to me tomorrow and told me that I had the opportunity to raise a lot of money or make a difference to the community, you could probably persuade me to do anything."

Rachel will continue her fundraising until the end of April, when she will be hosting an outdoor danceathon on her birthday, 29 April, with the Cherry Tree Project children.

You can donate to Rachel's fundraising page on her JustGiving page.

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