Posted on 7th August 2023
by Jacqui Vear
We can only imagine that struggling with a mental health issue feels like climbing a mountain.
Our Account Manager Jill Bell and her friend Kate Brown have created their own mountain-sized, marathon length mission. It’s aiming to raise £5,300 to support the critical work of Andy’s Man Club, a national suicide prevention charity. It helps men to get on top of their feelings through the power of conversation.
On Sunday 1st October Jill and Kate are running 53 ‘Round Robey’ circuits around Systematic’s home town of Caistor. In the process they’ll be running a marathon distance to an elevation equivalent to running up and down Snowdon from sea level! Summit 53 is the name of their mission, a name that our design agency oodle has lovingly applied creativity to.
The circuits will take Jill and Kate along and upwards on North Street, they will then join the High Street, followed by the start of Brigg Road, before coming back onto North Street.
It was only September 2022 when our colleague and friend Chris Robey lost the battle with his own mental health. Chris was a pillar of the Caistor community, the life and soul of any party, and a treasured running buddy to Jill and Kate.
Summit 53 culminates on 1st October, Lincolnshire Day and the date of Chris’ birthday. Chris was only 53 when he tragically passed away. He was a dedicated runner, and established Caistor Running Club in 2011, helping people ‘run for fun’ and for free. Jill and Kate were amongst the early and loyal members.
Chris always sought to boost the inclusivity of Caistor Running Club by accommodating runners of all abilities. He created a training session which involved running a half mile undulating loop around Caistor, with short-cuts if runners needed them! The route was later christened ‘Round Robeys’ and it’s still a firm fixture in the monthly training plan of the club.
Jill and Kate are looking for as many people as possible to unite around their mental and physical challenge. Send them a motivational message via the Summit 53 Facebook page, or if you can, make a donation to Andy’s Man Club via the Summit 53 Just Giving page. Most important of all, spread news of Andy’s Man Club and tell everyone you know that #ItsOkayToTalk.
Andy’s Man Club want to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. The peer-to-peer support groups they facilitate take place across the UK. The money Jill and Kate are aiming to fundraise will support the running of the clubs, through supplies, facilitator kits and awareness days.
Thank you for reading about Summit 53! Go Jill, go Kate, we are behind you in every sense, whilst being exceptionally proud to extend our support to your mission.
By the way, if you are seeking help for a mental health issue, this information from Mind might be a good place to start, here’s the link.
