Sales director becomes a labourer for the day to raise money for Mind

- 07 Oct 21

A housebuilding sales and marketing director has raised £1,000 for mental health charity Mind after auctioning himself as a labourer for the day. Vistry Eastern’s Jason Colmer, 51, agreed to take part in the fundraising event, with the company or individual making the highest donation on his JustGiving page winning the opportunity to give him any jobs they wished on a Vistry site in the region. Vistry Eastern is part of Vistry Group, which comprises Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships. Jason spent the day working at Bovis Homes’ Grange Park development at Thurston, after landscaping contractors idverde made the largest contribution to his fundraising appeal. During the day, Jason transformed part of the showhome area into a place where future residents can go for a catch-up. Jason said: “Mind is our company charity at Vistry, and with around one in four people experiencing a mental health problem each year in England and Wales, it has never been a more crucial moment to show our support. Mental health is an important area to address within the construction industry, particularly since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak which has tested us all in so many ways. “We decided to make the showhome area more of a future residents’ oasis for conversation and an area for neighbourly catch-ups. Post-Covid, I thought it would be fantastic to create a location for new future neighbours to meet up with a cup of tea and have a chat – and this links up well with Mind as having space to talk is important for wellbeing. “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far for their generosity, which will go a long way in supporting such a worthy charity.” Mind is a charity which provides advice and support to people experiencing a mental health problem, as well as campaigning to improve services and raise awareness. Juliana Oliver, account manager at Mind, said: “Vistry Group has been a hugely supportive partner to Mind over the past eight months and their fundraising efforts have helped us to make a real difference to those of us experiencing a mental health problem. “Many of us will be feeling the lasting impact of the pandemic on our mental health, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems. Our recent survey showed that two thirds of people said their mental health had got worse since the first national lockdown. “Thanks to colleagues at Vistry Group and their fundraising efforts, we’re able to be there for more people who need us, for example, by providing support services such as Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support service Side by Side.” As well as the donations made to bid for Jason’s time, colleagues and friends have also contributed to the cause after seeing the work he’s done at Grange Park. Donations can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jill-price7. For more information about the new homes being built across East Anglia by housebuilding division Vistry Eastern, visit bovishomes.co.uk lindenhomes.co.uk/eastern.

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