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Avove Operations Planner, Ross Coulbeck, is going the extra mile for his company charity partner, Mind, as he prepares for the ‘Chester Ultra 100 Mile’ on Saturday 27 May 2023.

Ross, aged 32, will be putting his fitness to the test as he takes on the challenge to run the 100-mile course, which includes some of the best trails in the region - the Sandstone Trail, the River Dee, Frodsham,  Beeston Castle and the Bridgewater Canal - as well as a 1590m ascent.

Ross, who has always been active and has been endurance training since his 20s, started running around 18 months ago, and physical activity is now a passion of his. In preparation for this mammoth task, he’s already started training and in March he will complete a 35-mile off-trail race in Snowdonia.

We catch up with Ross as he prepares for his next milestone in Snowdonia this weekend. Ross said: “After getting into endurance training and testing my body, I know my body is capable of taking on these huge challenges. I have learnt that it’s more about my mind and how I conquer my thoughts during these activities. Training is well underway, and I am delighted to be taking on this challenge and raising money for a cause close to my heart.”

In January 2023, utilities infrastructure and engineering services company, Avove, announced a two-year partnership with mental health charity Mind. This charity was voted for by employees because of the crucial work it does in raising awareness to remove the stigma around mental health as well as campaigning to improve services and promote a better understanding of mental wellbeing.

Mind helps one in four people in England and Wales who experience a mental health problem every year. The money raised will fund the charity’s vital work including the Mind Infoline and advice services, as well as the campaigning Mind does across the UK.

Ross continued: “I have previously dealt with poor mental health myself as a teenager. When I was around 18 years old, I struggled to deal with everything that life was throwing at me, and I found myself in a dark place. I recognised that I wanted a better life for myself, so I moved away from my home town, and the toxic environment that was holding me back; I could then draw a line in the sand.

“I turned my life around, studying a Bachelor’s Degree at Chester University, and eventually graduating with a Master’s Degree in Business Psychology at the University of Leeds. It was a complete 180 – going from nowhere to high achievement. I firmly believe that all things start off small, but I realised with every step, you can do what you set your mind to. I applied myself and passed university with flying colours.

“To help with my mental health and wellbeing, I started climbing mountains, running and swimming, particularly looking at endurance. Today, I am determined to keep improving and pushing myself to reach new goals – the Chester Ultra 100 being one of them! 

“I know what it’s like to feel depressed, so I am passionate about completing this challenge for myself, and also raising awareness around mental health and money for Mind. I’ve got a good mindset – when I’m running a big race like this, I won’t be thinking about running the whole 100 miles, I will only be thinking about running to the next checkpoint, being present and putting one foot in front of the other to keep moving forward. For people who are dealing with poor mental health – from my experience, it’s about taking the next step rather than looking at the end line.

“I’ve lost people close to me through mental health issues and I am passionate about what I’m doing for myself and also the charity.”

Dealing with mental health and wellbeing in the workplace is a priority for Avove and the company has recently signed The Mental Health at Work Commitment to cement its pledge to make a difference in the workplace and to support the mental health of its colleagues.