Banker to tackle China Challenge
A banker hopes to raise the profile of a mental health charity by taking on a five-day trek along the Great Wall of China.
Andrew Gabriel, of Meadowgate, Bourne, is raising money for Mental Health UK after seeing a family member struggle when he was a child.
He will be joined by 34 colleagues from Lloyds Banking Group for the “Walk The Talk” challenge, which aims to get people talking about mental health problems.
Andrew said: “Knowing someone struggle with mental health problems is difficult. With a broken leg you can see what the problem is but mental health is invisible so it’s harder to understand.”
Lloyds Banking Group aims to raise £250,000 for the charity.
Andrew’s personal target is £5,000 and he has already raised £4,500 by hosting events at the Stamford branch where he works and sponsorship for the trek.
The 36km challenge starts on September 17 and will take five days to complete.
The first and last day will take around six hours but the middle days will each be eight solid hours of walking.
In addition to trekking, Andrew will also have the opportunity to lend a hand in repairing the Great Wall as he and his colleagues will help to carry the bricks from the bottom of the Wall to repair the watchtowers.
Andrew , 26, said:“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and even though it will be the toughest thing I have been involved with, I am excited to rise to the challenge and have done lots of training in preparation.
“My main motivation lies in the impact that I know the money I have fundraised will have, especially as I am familiar with how life-changing a mental illness can be.”
With only four weeks to go Andrew has completed most of his training but he hopes to squeeze in the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge before he flies to China next
month.
Lloyds Banking Group spokesman Fiona Cannon said: “We wish everyone the best of luck as they set off on the Great Wall Of China trek. Their commitment to training and raising awareness of this important cause sits at the heart of our ambition to help Britain prosper. The £5,000 raised will enable Mental Health UK to reach out to the places and people who need their help the most.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/andrew-gabriel
