Dear all,

I am going to be undertaking a daunting but rewarding challenge with HSBC in early March 2020, trekking 100 km in 5 days through the volcanoes of Ecuador. This involves trekking between 6-8 hours a day at altitudes above 3,000 metres, reaching a maximum altitude of 4,300 metres (14,108ft) above sea level, while carrying hiking and camping equipment as well as (perhaps stupidly heavy) photography gear. Trekking at altitude is difficult at the best of times, but I will be helping to document the challenge through landscape photography, which is a passion of mine.

Through this trek, I will be supporting MQ, the mental health research charity. They transform lives through research, helping to create a future where mental illnesses are understood, effectively treated and one day prevented.  More and more of us are affected, or know someone impacted, by mental health issues. Having seen this personally over the past couple of years, it is something which I feel can be greatly improved by the work MQ does. 

Right now, one in four people in the UK are living with a mental health condition. MQ's scientists investigate a huge range of issues: depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and more. They’re bringing together everything from cutting-edge neuroscience to social studies to find the answers we need. 

I am hoping to raise £1,500 to support MQ - anything you can donate would be gratefully received and will help to make a big difference.

Many thanks in advance

John