After months of home working, the Belvoir Group Central Office Support Team celebrated a post-lockdown reunion with an epic 23-mile charity fundraiser walk, raising over £6k for Mind, the mental health charity.
“Two-thirds of people with existing mental health problems have reported that their mental health and well-being worsened during the pandemic,” said Belvoir Marketing Director Kiara Simmance. “As a team, we decided to raise funds for Mind, who do so much to help ensure that nobody faces mental health problems alone.”
Louise George, Chief Financial Officer said: “We were well represented across the Belvoir Group and the various Central Office teams, and were joined by several Directors from Belvoir, Northwood and Newton Fallowell. Some team members had been walking much more during the lockdowns, but it’s fair to say that others were definitely not seasoned walkers.
“The event took place around Rutland Water in Rutland, and we started with a total of 24 walkers and a dog called Murtle. Nine walkers plus the dog were scheduled to stop at lunchtime, after nine miles, and the remainder of us went for the full Rutland Water challenge experience of 23 miles. Blisters defeated one walker, and another stayed with her to sort out a lift home, but 13 of us finished the entire circuit, ending our marathon walk with big smiles and tired legs!”
Belvoir CEO, Dorian Gonsalves said: “I would like to add my personal congratulations to everyone who took part in this superb charity event. For most of the team the distance walked really was a big personal achievement. More importantly, it was fantastic for so many members of the Belvoir Group support team get together after such a long period of home working, and I know they were delighted to raise over £6k for a very worthy cause.”
Ian O’Reilly, Head of Community & Events Fundraising at Mind, said: “We are really grateful to the employees of Belvoir Group PLC for choosing to support Mind through walking an impressive 23 miles around Rutland Water and we wish them all well.
“It continues to be a really challenging time and many of us will be feeling the impact of the pandemic on our mental health and wellbeing, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and it’s so important that no one has to face this alone.
“Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support. This includes through services such as Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support community for adults, Side by Side, so we can be there for as many people who need us as possible.”
Belvoir Group team completing 23 miles:
Louise George, Finance
Julie Wilson, Finance
Liane Johnson, Finance
Adam Egner, Finance
Ellie Clubb, Finance
Kiara Simmance, Marketing
Chloe Bridger, Marketing
Georgie Gibson, Marketing
Phil Gee, Northwood
Ian Maclean, Belvoir
Joe Ellis, Belvoir
Shahin Fazal, Legal
Robert Harrison, IT
Sarah Huxtable, Recruitment
James Oldbury, Newton Fallowell
Belvoir Group team completing 9 miles:
David Spackman, Newton Fallowell
Grace Milham, Audit and Compliance
Georgina Smith, Audit and Compliance
Catalyn Bavister, Audit and Compliance
Peter Haas, Audit and Compliance
Charlotte Hurrell, Audit and Compliance
Mandy Chandler, Northwood
Janine Cumberland, HR
Marion Haas, HR
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