Miles for Mind: Housebuilding colleagues take fitness charity challenge in their stride

- 13 May 21

A buying director at a national housebuilder, from Wolverhampton, has put his best foot forward in a fitness challenge which aims to raise £2,500 for mental health charity, Mind. Christopher Evans, associate buying director based in Vistry Group’s Mercia region, has signed up to Smartroof’s Smartmove Challenge, which asks participants to walk, run and/or cycle and log their distance in a bid to reach a collective target of 250,000 miles. Once £2,500 is reached, Smartroof’s parent company, Keystone Group, has committed to matching the donation. The father-of-two has also encouraged three of his colleagues to take part. Alongside Christopher, Calum Madden, Rhea Sargeant and Olivia Edge, all based at Vistry’s regional headquarters at Dunston Hall, have collectively completed 305 miles in April. As someone who enjoys a challenge and pushing themselves, Christopher is pleased colleagues decided to join in and support each other. Christopher, 39, said: “Without being together in the office, it’s been difficult to motivate people, so this has been a fantastic way to bring us together. This challenge has milestones for people to achieve and you can set yourself weekly targets. You know you have to do a certain number of miles a week – come rain or shine – and you’re able to plan that out. “I’ve been logging my miles on my Garmin watch – my runs, walks and cycles – which links to my phone. I upload a screenshot to Smartroof’s Smartsheet app which is tracking everyone’s activity.” Stressing the importance of exercise and its mental health benefits, this challenge has meant that Christopher and his two children, Sophia, 8 and Luca, 3, have been able to enjoy getting outdoors more than ever. “I believe if you can keep yourself happy and healthy, your mental health and wellbeing goes along with it,” said Christopher. “It’s been a difficult time for everyone and it’s good to get outside and have a break – you’re able to clear your head when you’re on a walk, run or cycle. “My daughter has been on a couple of runs with me and a bike ride. She’s now also a member of my golf club so we log our walks on the course at the weekend. My son has only just turned 3 and we’ve been out for long walks – he loves hunting for leaves with his mum.” Joanne Morrison, regional managing director, said: “With Mind as our charity of the year, the challenges of lockdown over the past 12 months and mental health at the forefront of our families, friends and colleagues’ lives, it’s great to see Chris, Calum, Rhea and Olivia take part in a worthwhile, and extremely strenuous, challenge. “I hope that those of us within the region who aren’t as interested in extreme challenges will help by supporting the ‘fab four’ and donate as much as they can – go team Mercia!” Mind is Vistry’s charity of the year and colleagues across the business have organised various fundraising activities to raise money. As well as the Smartmove Challenge, colleagues in Vistry Mercia are planning a Euro 2021 sweepstake and, as restrictions lift, games, activities and bake sales in the office. For more information and to donate towards the Smartmove Challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/smartmove