MENTAL health will benefit from February's Hume Bank City2City Run Walk after this year's inaugural event raised $100,000 to assist with heart monitoring.
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The 10km event, which involves participants moving from the Albury CBD to the Wodonga CBD, attracted 3500 entrants and organisers are hoping to better that figure next year.
Money raised goes toward Albury Wodonga Health and the initial $100,000 will fund more mobile cardiac monitoring of patients.
Albury Wodonga Health chief executive Sue O'Neill said telemetry would allow cardiac data to be shared between Albury and Wodonga hospitals and beyond the intensive care unit.
A new ward being built at Albury hospital for high acuity patients, those that fit between ICU and the general wards, will feature four beds to link in with the heart monitoring.
Hume Bank chief executive David Marshall toured the ward on Tuesday as the 2016 City2City was launched.
"I think the fact it went on a great cause and we're starting to see the fruits of that is important and next year will be equally as important around the mental health issues," Mr Marshall said.
"None of us would dispute that mental health is important, it was an easy choice to be frank and it is something we can make a difference with."
The North East and Border Mental Health Service, which assists inpatients and others, will determine the money's use.
Mr Marshall said he was hopeful more than $100,000 can be raised next year and entrant numbers will grow.
"We won't put a target on it, but we've all got that competitive spirit, so we would hope to raise the same amount if not more," Mr Marshall said.
The New Zealander will be making his debut in the event after moving from Queensland to the Border in February to take on the leadership of Hume Bank.
"I run, swim and being a Kiwi I enjoy rugby union," Mr Marshall said.
"I think it is important to try and keep fit, it keeps the mind and body healthy."
Medical ward nurse unit manager Rachel Langheim said income from the run-walk was appreciated.
"It's a great community event and in uniting the community it's a great support for us," she said.
Registrations for the 2016 run/walk on February 21 can be made at www.city2cityawh.org.au.