Cox Automotive UK raise £10,000 for mental health charity Mind

A 100-strong team of staff from across Cox Automotive's UK operations have succeeded in raising over £10,000 for the mental health charity, Mind.

Being unable to climb Mount Snowdon due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic - an annual fixture in the Cox Automotive calendar - the team decided to walk 24,000 steps in 24 hours as part of a ‘SnowdIN’ challenge.

The distance covered was tghe same as walking the Llanberis path, the planned route up Mount Snowdon.

Many participants took part in their local areas, while others climbed their local mountain, with two team members wearing fancy dress.

Alison Fisher, chief people officer at Cox Automotive, said: “We were so pleased to have smashed our £5,000 fundraising target and raise essential funds for Mind.

“Mental health awareness has never been more important than it is now, and we are delighted to support Mind, ensuring every person with a mental health problem can have access to their invaluable services.

“Everyone at Cox Automotive is proud to support Mind – and the services and support they provide are so crucial during these unprecedented times.”

Mental health has become a major topic across the automotive sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, with additional support required by many due to increased isolation, financial hardships and job uncertainty.

Ben also recently launched a new digital platform for individuals to access self-help support programmes for anxiety, depression, resilience, stress, sleep, as well as mindfulness activities.

In addition, a new programme called ‘Coping with challenging times’ has just been launched on the platform to help people through COVID-19.

The efforts are being made despite a £1 million funding shortfall due to the impact of the pandemic, which forced the charity to cancel its annual Ben Ball fund-raising event.

Ben fund-raising director, Matt Wigginton, said: “Your support of Ben is even more valuable in this time of crisis. We expect the demand for our mental health support to continue increasing as the full effects of the coronavirus pandemic are felt.

“Many people are concerned about what the future holds and how it will affect them."

Thanks Cox Automotive for its support in aid of Mind, Emma Ihsan, head of corporate partnerships at the charity, said: “We are so thankful to the team at Cox Automotive for their brilliant fundraising efforts. Our work is needed now more than ever, as so many of us are struggling with our mental health during the pandemic.

“The money they’ve raised will help us to support everyone with a mental health problem through our vital services such as Mind’s Infoline, which provides confidential information and advice on mental health, and the campaigning we do to improve services and raise awareness.”