Newton’s Marketing Executive James Hughes shares his story:

The founding motivation for my support and fundraising efforts for Mind over the past few years stem from very close personal circumstances. In December 2011, having seemingly suffered quietly from depression for months, my father took his own life at the age of 54. The fact that neither my mother, sister, nor indeed myself saw anything like this coming, meant that the reality and significance of mental health issues were brought home starkly and suddenly in a way that we had never even been aware of before then.

This reality is reinforced even further by the facts: each year, one in four people will experience some form of mental health issue, whilst suicide is the single biggest cause of death in the UK for men under the age of 35.

Considering all of this, through the provision of advice and support to anyone experiencing any mental health problem, as well as through campaigning and fighting to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health issues, Mind is not only one of the most significant forces in mental health support in the UK, but it is of close personal importance, as it works to help anyone who might be in the same situation as my father once was.

On Saturday September 19th 2015, fourteen of our brave Newtonites will be tackling the fearsome Spartan Race together in order to raise invaluable funds for three fantastic causes:

MIND provides advice & support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.

Taking place at Ashburnham Place in the rolling countryside of East Sussex, Newton’s group of Spartans will be tackling mud, fire, water, and 15 obstacles that will strike fear into the hearts of many of our valiant first-timers. There will be many challenges, both physical and mental, that confront our team on their path to Spartan victory, a mere taste of which can be experienced in the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r-tHrhaWg0

Hopefully all of the above is enough to inspire you to make a donation to our two worthy causes, no matter what size, and thanks in advance for all of your support.

 Thank you from everyone at Newton Waterproofing Ltd