I am extremely excited (and very nervous!!) to be completing a trekking challenge exploring the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This involves climbing the highest mountain in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, which is 12,700ft. I will complete it over 3 days in May 2021 and it will involve a lot of tough, physical challenges in high altitude air, negotiating boulders, scree and demanding terrain.

I have been involved in different types of fundraising for many years, both in and out of work, but this is something very different!

Mental Health UK supports people affected by mental health problems including friends, family and carers. Working across the UK, they bring together over 40 years of expertise from four national founding charity partners to improve understanding and provide vital care.

Thanks to fundraising efforts through my employer, Lloyds Banking Group, September 2019 saw the launch of a new young people’s programme, Bloom.

Bloom is a UK wide programme which supports young people’s mental health resilience. Delivered in schools and colleges, Bloom equips young people with the tools and knowledge to maintain their mental health through life’s transitions, both now and in the future. This is a project I am really passionate about supporting and raising awareness and funds for, as education about mental health is so important and I feel it is hugely lacking. 

I am planning loads of fundraising events leading up to October and these will be in and out of work so any support or donations would be hugely appreciated. If you have any specific event ideas about how you, your business or employer can help support raising funds for Mental Health UK then please get in touch.

Please share this amongst your family and friends and have a look at the Mental Health UK's website to see what an amazing job they do. A donation of even £10 supports reaching out to 30 people with vital information about mental health.

Thank you so much, Ashlea x

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