Member Article

Accountancy firm limbers up for mental health charity

The Leatherhead office of top 20 accountancy firm Menzies laced up their running shoes on 10th September and took part in Surrey Bacchus Half Marathon, held at Denbies Wine Estate. The aim of the challenge was to raise money and awareness for mental health issues whilst celebrating the life of a much-loved colleague.

On the morning of Sunday 10th September, 15 Menzies employees ran the gruelling 13.3 miles around the vineyard in memory of former colleague Grace Dear, who sadly passed away earlier this year following an ongoing battle with mental illness.

Running alongside Menzies were Grace’s siblings Jake, Rhys and Hope and seven of her friends, who helped the firm achieve its aim of raising over £15,000 for charity. All funds will be donated to the Grace Dear Foundation, which is being set up by her family to encourage young people suffering from mental illness to seek treatment and talk about their feelings before it’s too late.

Stephanie Lane, private client manager in Menzies’ Leatherhead office, commented: “As well as being incredibly important in its own right, the issue of mental illness is also one which is very close to our hearts. Grace was a highly-valued member of the Menzies team, a much-loved colleague and a very positive person. You would never know that she struggled with her mental health. We hope that the money raised by taking part in this event will help more young people to seek help early and ultimately understand that ‘It’s ok not to be ok’.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Menzies .