Hafal will hold its 2010 National Physical Health Awareness Day at the Neath Sports Centre on 8th July.

The sports day will give people with a serious mental illness and their carers from across Wales the opportunity to compete in a number of events including five-a-side football, tug-of-war, welly-wanging, boules, horse-racing, the egg-and-spoon race, volleyball, the obstacle course and Tai Chi.

Emma Billings, Events Coordinator at Hafal, said: "Whatever the weather decides to do it's going to be a really fun day out for clients, carers and staff as there will be plenty to do for all.

"The day is designed to be enjoyed and it has something for everyone, but there's also a serious message behind it. This event will highlight how maintaining physical health is a key part of recovering from mental illness."

Commenting on how the event has developed over the years Hafal Chief Executive Bill Walden-Jones said: "I freely confess that, when the suggestion for such an event was first made some years ago, I was sceptical about how many Hafal clients would want to engage in a vigorous round of sporting events but my doubts were wholly misplaced and we can scarcely manage the numbers which grow every year -this year's event has attracted over 200 bookings!

"There is tremendous enthusiasm for the various competitive sports on offer on the day which gives the lie to the idea that our clients prefer passive and unchallenging services. I also believe there is a huge amount of work to be done to open up access to mainstream sport and recreational facilities for people with a serious mental illness - and this annual event has already inspired several of our local services to open those doors into leisure centres, rambling, and so on."