Will you help Sponsor me?

In March 2020, myself and 99 other HSBC colleagues will be attempting a challenging 100Km high altitude trek in Ecuador raising money and awareness for Mental Health.

Our mental health is something we can often overlook or neglect, although our mental health (how we perceive and feel about ourselves) can often be even more important than our own physical health.

Helping others improve their Mental Health – and helping others to live their best life and stay positive in life is very important to me. The Human mind is fragile and needs to be looked after. A bit like altitude sickness it can affect anyone at anytime.

In May 2001 my University housemate Malcolm chose to end his life and then in November 2014 my best mate Rory tragically took his own life, leaving behind his Wife and young Family. Since that time, I’ve been compelled to be actively involved in helping others improve their mental health.

For me, this trek is about doing it for Rory and Malcolm. Two great individuals with their whole lives ahead of them who suddenly found themselves over-whelmed, alone and in a dark place whilst on their own life trek. It shouldn’t and didn’t have to be like that.

‘The Samaritans’ – my chosen Charity
Every penny I am able to raise will go The Samaritans. The Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, often via their telephone helpline.

Today, The Samaritans volunteers will answer almost 13,000 calls for help; our donations will help them answer tomorrow's.

How hard will it be?
The HSBC Andean Volcanoes Challenge will be exceedingly challenging due to the high altitudes involved. Anyone undertaking this challenge will require high levels of fitness and endurance. During the trek I will be:

• Trekking between 6-8 hours a day,
• Trekking every day at high altitudes above 3,500 metres,
• Reaching a maximum altitude of 4,300 metres (14,108ft) above sea level,
• Carrying all required equipment within large daypack,
• Surviving on basic meals, camping in tents, and cut off from all things normally taken for granted such as beds, hot showers and Wi-Fi.

Why does Mental Health matter?
Because we can’t always see mental health issues in the same way we can see a blister or twisted ankle, mental health issues can be hard to spot. Symptoms can include withdrawal and being more on edge / unable to relax. I believe the simplest (and the best) way to breakthrough is just to talk; we should all talk about our mental health more often. A problem shared is indeed a problem halved.

Most mental health issues are connected with how we view and value ourselves. I thrive on helping others boost their self-esteem; boosting their belief and confidence in their own abilities and value. It’s at those times when we possess little self-regard that we can become depressed, fall short of our potential, feel like a failure, to tolerate abusive situations and relationships, or like Malcolm and Rory, just give up because there was no obvious way out.

I want to raise awareness and raise money to help others think about their self-esteem and in doing so, play a small part in helping to reduce the stigma of mental health – which is often so over-looked and under-estimated. Most of us will experience issues at some point in our lives; how we overcome these challenges will depend on our own mental health – and also what support is available for us to reach out to as a lifeline when we need it the most.

Do I think it’s going to be hard?
For me – and the other members of the team, I suspect the most challenging aspect of this trek will be perseverance, resilience and not giving up. A bit like our own mental health, there will be great times when everything is right with the world, and there will be times when it starts getting difficult, a little overwhelming and that sense to give up grows.

Our brains are complex. They have a billion cells and a trillion connectors. Our emotions shape our desires, thoughts and behaviours and we live at the mercy of our emotions. On this trek (and in the trek that is life), being self-aware is the key to happiness; focusing on what you can do and not what you can’t. Traumas, both physical and mental, both large and small, can have a big impact on our emotions and brains; we need to be aware and understand our emotions and why we feel the way we feel.

Why is fundraising required?
The importance of the work that charities and organisations supporting mental health play cannot be under-estimated. Having been involved in various forums and groups, when you see the impact your actions have on individuals who are struggling, you see it really make a difference – often acting as the catalyst for life-changing positive change.

Whether it’s mainstream charities like The Samaritans, or the hundreds of smaller local charities dealing with local hotspots and issues, all perform incredible work on a daily basis with many unsung heroes doing it for their own personal reasons in their own time.

If you are willing and able, please do Sponsor me; as little or as much as you can.

It really does and will, make a difference.

Thank you.