Every January, most people sit down and set themselves a host of ambitious New Year’s resolutions. According to new data, nearly three quarters of people (73%) set the goal of being more active in 2023, with half of people pledging to walk more because it’s free.

Research by outdoor retailer GO Outdoors in partnership with mental health charity, Mind, has revealed that it was the pandemic that got the nation on its feet, with three quarters (75%) walking outdoors more because of Covid-19, as it helped their physical and mental health.

Prior to this, the majority (55%) of people only saw walking as a means of getting from place to place.

The data also showed that three quarters of Brits found walking as a form of exercise to be the most popular due to zero financial barriers (75%), alongside being inclusive (73%), and good for mental health (74%).

In November 2022, GO Outdoors launched a range of limited-edition hats in collaboration with Mind, designed by their panel of brand ambassadors (TV presenters Julia Bradbury, Helen Skelton, Sean Fletcher, and ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman).

The #HatsOnForMind campaign was designed to encourage people to get outdoors more often to help ease mental health challenges, with 100% of the proceeds from hat sales going to charity.

Available online and in participating stores such as GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, and Fishing Republic, GO Outdoors pledged to raise at least £100,000 from hat sales over the winter.

Thanks to the incredible support from customers, the pledge has now been beaten, with hat sales continuing across the UK.

Lee Bagnall, CEO of GO Outdoors said: “The response to our #HatsOnForMind campaign has been nothing short of incredible. We want to thank everyone that was responsible for bringing the campaign to life from our brand ambassadors, Mind volunteers, the teams at GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets and Fishing Republic, and of course our customers for getting their #HatsOnForMind this winter.”

Charlotte Porter, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, said: “We are grateful to GO Outdoors for continuing to support Mind through the #HatsOnForMind campaign. This collaboration is fantastic as it encourages everyone to experience the great outdoors and reap the benefits.

“We are in a difficult time, with many of us feeling the impact of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and loneliness. The money raised through this partnership will help us to keep our vital services running, including Mind’s Infoline, legal line, and our online peer support community Side by Side, so that we can be there for the people who need us most.”

The remaining #HatsOnForMind hats are still available to buy exclusively at GO Outdoors, Blacks, Millets, and Fishing Republic. Adult hats are priced at £10 and two children’s options at just £8.