Ten members of staff took part in a gruelling physical challenge to raise money for the mental health charity, Mind.
Throughout February, the team battled snow, ice and rain to complete 28 miles per week of walking, running or cycling as part of the our ‘Mind Over Matter’ challenge. The catch was that the miles had to be completed from Monday-Friday.
In support of the team, we granted each participant an additional half-hour per day of paid time out.
February was a particularly harsh month for weather, with freezing conditions in the first week, followed by heavy showers, before sunny conditions prevailed. Despite exhaustion, sore feet, complaining children, and regular working duties, the team managed to clock up over 1,500 miles – the equivalent of travelling from their head office in Exeter to Bulgaria! They raised more than £2,000.
Team member, Anna Nicholas, who managed to cover an impressive 219 miles, says:
“When the organiser, Laura Hill, asked me what I thought of a challenge involving walking 28 miles a week during the 28 days of February, I was enthusiastic. During the autumn and winter months of working at home, compounded by lockdowns, I was not keen on leaving the house, let alone doing some exercise. I saw this challenge as not only as a great way to raise money for charity, but also to get myself out of a rut.”
“The week before we started, I began to wonder how I was going to fit in a working day and 6 miles’ walking. However, once I started with morning and evening walks and a bit of holiday factored in, I soon found I was notching up the miles and, after the first week, I got the bug. I have seen beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I have got muddy, waded through puddles in the rain, walked in the sea, spotted signs of spring, found footpaths I did not know existed and been out in the sparkling snow. All in all, well worth it! I plan to continue with morning walks before work.”
The Managing Director, Stuart Wilson, commented:
“This is an amazing achievement, and we couldn’t be prouder of our magnificent team for finding the time to complete this challenge. In undertaking this task, they have helped raise awareness of mental health issues and exceeded our original sponsorship target by over four times, raising an incredible £2,145 for our chosen charity, Mind.
“This has been especially demanding for those team members who, like so many people throughout the country, have been juggling work commitments with home schooling and other family responsibilities. During these times, it is especially important to find time for yourself and your physical and mental wellbeing. The team has amply demonstrated the benefits of exercise in all weathers as a way of coping with the challenges we are all facing now.”