CHARITY

An employee of BPCA member Pelsis Group is cycling 4,500 miles around the UK mainland coastline to raise money for mental health charity, Mind.

Pelsis Group finance team member, Adam Sims is taking on the challenge following his wife of 35 years, Christina Sims, developing a serious mental health condition three years ago. 

Christina fell ill while they were on an Antarctic cruise in March 2023 and was admitted to a hospital in Ushuaia, Argentina for psychiatric care. Following treatment in an NHS hospital on their return to the UK, Christina is now doing much better.

The challenge will see Adam depart from Angmering, West Sussex, and cycle around the UK mainland coast. He hopes to complete the cycle and cover the 4,500 miles in 45 days.

Adam had originally hoped to raise £5,000 for Mind from doing the challenge but has surpassed that target by already raising £8,218.

Commenting on his challenge, Adam said: “Christina’s illness came right out of the blue. It really hit home how illnesses like this can be completely unexpected.

“We are fortunate that Christina is now doing better, in part thanks to be brilliant support we have received from Mind. That is why I wanted to do this challenge to give back and raise funds so others who go through what we did are able to be supported as well.

“I’m already extremely grateful for all the support and donations I’ve received from the friends, colleagues and the general public and look forward to seeing how much we can raise for this worthy cause.”

Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Ian O’Reilly, head of community and events fundraising at Mind, said: “We are really grateful to Adam for choosing to support Mind through this long-distance cycle ride, and we wish him well. 

“It’s a difficult time, with many of us now feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our mental health and wellbeing, especially those of us with existing mental health problems. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year, and it’s so important that no one has to face this alone. 

“Every donation that Mind receives allows us to campaign to improve services and provide information and support. This includes through services such as the Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support community for adults, Side by Side, so we can be there for as many people who need us as possible.”

Support Adam and donate

If you'd like to support his challenge and the charity, visit either:

adamcycles.uk

Just Giving

Source: Pelsis press release