Lloyds Banking Group smashes fundraising target for mental health
COLLEAGUES at Lloyds Banking Group put their best foot forward to raise almost £4,000 for Mental Health UK, beating their target of £1,000, by taking part in a virtual walking challenge.
The money was presented to Mental Health UK after staff were challenged to walk 17 miles in one day, which is the same distance as the famous ‘three peaks challenge’ in Wales: Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan.
Participants were asked to donate at least £2 and agree to walk 35,000 steps. The day saw more than 700 colleagues walk the distance alone or in one of 115 teams across Wales.
Laura Dowding, a member of Lloyds Internet Banking team in Newport, who completed the challenge said: “Having suffered with both anxiety and depression myself, it was really important to me to take part in the fundraising. By doing the three peaks virtual challenge I wanted to show others they are not alone and that mental illness shouldn’t stop anyone from achieving their goals.”
The virtual three peaks challenge is the latest fundraising initiative in Wales to support Mental Health UK, Lloyds Banking Group’s charity partner for 2017 and 2018.
Mental Health UK is a network of four charities – Rethink Mental Illness, Support in Mind Scotland, Hafal and Mindwise – working across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to improve the lives of people living with mental illness and to support carers.
The charity partnership between Mental Health UK and Lloyds Banking Group aims to promote awareness of the link between mental health and financial difficulties, and will see the banking group raise at least £2m a year for Mental Health UK in offices and branches across the UK.
Allan Griffiths, Lloyds Banking Group’s ambassador for Wales, said: “We know that often people living with mental health issues also encounter financial difficulties. A recent study found that around 300,000 people with mental health problems lose their jobs each year in the UK.
“We want to raise awareness of the challenges facing those with a mental health diagnosis and how employers can provide better support.
“It was great to see so many colleagues across Wales come together for such an important cause. I’m incredibly proud of the dedication and passion shown by all of our colleagues who got involved and who have helped us raise funds for Mental Health UK in different ways this year.”
The partnership with Mental Health UK is a part of Lloyds Banking Group’s Helping Britain Prosper plan, which aims to help the country both economically and socially. The banking group has committed to raising £4m for the charity by the end of 2018.