Ian Goatman from the Isle of Man, together with over 60 colleagues from Lloyds Banking Group, will be taking on the Fourtitude Challenge with the ambition of raising ?250,000 for Mental Health UK.
Ian will be tackling a mental agility challenge to test his resolve, hiking the 1,344 metres of Ben Nevis, cycling 100 miles and completing a half marathon, all over the course of four days. The challenge was named ‘Fourtitude’ to reflect that one in four people experience mental health problems, and that the fearless colleagues will be completing the gruelling challenge within four days and starting in four teams – one from each home nation.
This demanding mental and physical challenge is in aid of Lloyds Banking Group’s two year charity partnership with Mental Health UK, a key part of the Group’s commitment to help Britain prosper. The partnership aims to promote awareness of the link between mental health and money problems, encourage discussion between customers and colleagues and raise at least ?2million per year to launch a Mental Health and Money Advice Service.
Ian has a particular motivation for completing this challenge as he has a close friend and a relative who have both experienced mental health problems recently and as he has been training for various physical challenges over the past few years, the Fourtitude challenge was a perfect change to take on a new challenge for a fantastic cause.
From the 4-7th September over 60 fearless Fourtituders will set off in four teams – one from each of the home nations. On day one they will start with the ‘Mental Agility’ challenge, followed by the ‘Step by Step’ challenge on day two as they ascend the highest mountain in their respective countries:
• Scotland – Ben Nevis at 1,344 metres
• Wales – Snowdon at 1,085 metres
• England – Scafell Pike at 978 metres
• N Ireland – Slieve Donard at 849 metres
The third day will see the four teams join together to take part in ‘The Long Road’ cycling challenge, which consists of 100 miles cycling across hilly Peak District roads. On day four, participants will set off before dawn to take part in the ‘Out of the Dark’ challenge, consisting of a half marathon along the Birmingham canal towpaths, ending in central Birmingham.
Ian Goatman, said: “It is great to be part of a challenge raising money for such a great cause. I always enjoy pushing myself physically and feeling connected to the cause will motivate me all the more and make the challenge more enjoyable.”
Fiona Cannon, Responsible Business and Inclusion Director, Lloyds Banking Group, said, “It’s great to see so many Lloyds Banking Group colleagues taking part in the Fourtitude challenge with determination, stamina and positivity and I wish them the best of luck on what I know will be a tough physical and mental challenge. Our colleagues have a great track record of raising significant funds for charity and are extremely motivated to exceed our target of ?250,000 for our Charity Partner, Mental Health UK.”
Brian Dow, Managing Director of Mental Health UK, added: “The partnership between Mental Health UK and Lloyds Banking Group has already produced some fantastic work and initiatives, and this challenge is certainly no exception. This is an incredibly tough challenge, demonstrating colleagues’ whole-hearted commitment to the aims of this partnership. They won’t be going it alone because, to show my support, I will also be taking part in the ‘Out of the Dark’ half marathon part of the challenge. I can only imagine how hard it will be to complete the full challenge, and on behalf of Mental Health UK, I want to say a huge thank you to all involved. We are hugely grateful for the awareness and significant funding Fourtitude will generate.”
You can donate via Ian's fundraising page - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ian-Goatman.
