AD Comets raising cash for mental health charity

Tomorrow - Saturday, 8 September - employees from print industry PR company AD Communications, their respective family members and friends will take part in the Thames Path Challenge and look to complete a total distance of 700km in under 24 hours in aid of mental health charity, Off The Record. Those wishing to support the effort can donate at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/adcomets

The Thames Path Challenge is a 100km walk, jog or run along the River Thames, from Putney Bridge to Henley, with options to complete either a quarter or half of the full distance. The team, made up of 12 participants and named ‘AD Comets’, will be setting off from Putney at 9am. Five members will be taking on the first quarter challenge from Putney Bridge through to Hampton Court and an additional five members of the team will be walking the half challenge, finishing at Runnymede. Two members of the team will aim to complete the full distance of 100km along the Thames, finishing at Henley on Sunday before 9am. The AD Comets will be raising money for the Twickenham-based charity that every year provides free and confidential support to 2,000 young people experiencing mental health issues. The charity also offers additional support to friends, family and support workers. One in ten adolescents in the UK experiences mental illness and one in every three young people living in the Richmond borough has accessed Off The Record’s services. In the past few years the charity has expanded significantly and now has a waiting list of over 100 young people. Case histories are becoming increasingly complex – instead of presenting themselves with one or two issues, many young people are now raising three or four issues, such as family break-up, bereavement, self-harm and exam anxiety. Off The Record’s services are therefore needed now more than ever. Sophie Adam, chairperson at Off The Record, said: “Receiving support from companies like AD Communications gives us a chance to expand our services and help more young people in crisis. The NHS has warned that there is a wait of up to 18 months for children suffering with mental health and they are therefore relying on charities like us. We provide support at an early stage and offer a safe place to many young people in crisis. It is donations like this that help us to keep our doors open.” Helen Tolino, join MD at AD Communications, added: “Off The Record is an outstanding charity. There has been growing awareness of mental health issues and we recognise that, as an employer, we have a duty to support people, especially those of a younger age for whom the pressures and pace of life are greater than ever. By supporting charities like Off The Record, we hope that we’re able to help them make a difference.” Alongside the walkers, further employees at AD Communications will be assisting with fundraising and supporting the team with training.