Three creative professionals from the Bath area have raised £1,500 in just over a week as they prepare for their first marathons to bring in essential funds for a mental health charity.
Nathan Baranowski, Jo Wren and Ben Veal, who will be running the virtual London Marathon on October 3 to fundraise for the Charlie Waller Trust, are calling on local businesses and fellow creatives to pledge their support.
The charity, which provides education, training and support to young people, teachers and parents, has experienced significant demand for its services during the pandemic – and the trio are seeking cash backing for their challenge via Justgiving to help it do even more.
Nathan and Jo, of Bradford-on-Avon agency Digital Wonderlab, and Ben Veal of Bath communications consultancy Second Mountain Comms, have spent the past year supporting the charity professionally during the national lockdowns by developing and launching of a new website and content strategy, helping the charity reach a growing audience via digital-first channels.
Nathan, Digital Wonderlab’s managing director, said: “The Charlie Waller Trust is a leading light in positive mental health support for young people, and is at the forefront of conversations around depression, anxiety and mental health.
“The charity has big ambitions to positively reach and impact even more young people and their families as we begin to emerge from the pandemic, and fundraising has a big role to play in its ongoing journey.
“I’m looking forward to taking on a big personal challenge this year – running a marathon which is something I’ve longed to do for a long time – while helping to raise both money and awareness for the charity’s work.”
Ben Veal, who set up Second Mountain Comms last year, added: “Mental health support, education and training have never been more vital and, as we begin to transition and move towards ‘new normal’ life after our worlds have been flipped upside down, charities like the Charlie Waller Trust will need great support to be able to keep delivering their essential services to help those sorely in need.
“I’ve always wanted to tackle a marathon, but self-doubt has prevented me – until now. The events of the past 12 months have proved that we are all stronger and more resilient than we may have given ourselves credit for before; we shouldn’t put off our goals and ambitions.”
Digital Wonderlab head of marketing Jo said they had seen firsthand the difference the charity has made, championing mental wellbeing through digital channels.
“The unexpected Covid-19 lockdown restrictions suddenly made the charity’s mental health support work more valuable and sought after than ever before – and the need for more positive conversations around mental health difficulties will drive the three of us towards the finish line of our marathon challenge,” she added.
Due to the pandemic, this year’s London Marathon – which usually takes place in front of thousands of spectators in April, will now take place virtually in October, with runners asked to select their own route and log the distance and time taken to complete the route themselves.
To follow the trio’s training progress or to make a donation, visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/team/charliewaller-digitalwonderlab-secondmountaincomms
For information on the Charlie Waller Trust, click here
Pictured, from left: Second Mountain Comms’ Ben Veal and Digital Wonderlab’s Nathan Baranowski and Jo Wren
