Security guard’s epic quest
From patrolling the aisles to trekking across a country - Mandy Smith is really up for the challenge.
A security guard at a town centre shopping centre has embarked on a mission to trek across Nepal after raising almost £9,200 for the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Trust (SMA).
Mandy Smith, who has worked at The Mall Maidstone for five years, is walking across the country with her brother Matt Price.
The fundraising journey started on New Year’s Eve when the pair had 12 buckets of freezing cold water thrown over them to mark the start of the year. Throughout the year Mandy and Matt have hosted many charity events in the centre, including a Bush Tucker Trail.
Last Wednesday, the siblings jetted off to Nepal to start a gruelling two-week trek across the country, which will also see them spending some time volunteering in a hospital.
Mrs Smith, 50, said: “I am thrilled we were able to beat our target. The two of us are really looking forward to taking part in the challenge.
“I really do owe a big thank you to all my colleagues and the customers at The Mall who kindly donated.”
The mother-of-three from Ringlestone has a personal connection with the charity, with both her great nephew and great niece diagnosed with SMA.
A muscle-wasting condition, it affects one every 6,000 births nationwide.
Mrs Smith added: “We are a close family and everyone is so happy we are doing this for a charity so close to our hearts.”
The shopping centre supported Mrs Smith through its Mall Cares campaign and donated almost £450 towards the trek target.
Marketing manager Suzie Brindle said: Mandy has worked so hard over the last year, and we are thrilled to be able to help out and help her reach her grand total.
“We wish them both luck with their trek and look forward to hearing all about it when they’re back.”
The SMA Trust is dedicated to funding research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which is the number one genetic killer of children under the age of two in the UK.