An Aberdeen business leader has received international support for his mental health fundraising campaign after a donation from Romania helped take fundraising beyond another significant milestone.
Marius Coste, a leader with Elior UK for more than 10 years and founder of the Miles of Smiles campaign, has received a combined donation of £1,252.82 from Rotary Club Cetățuie Cluj Napoca and his brother, Razvan Coste. The donation, shared equally between the club and Razvan, will support the campaign’s fundraising for SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health).
The latest contribution takes Miles of Smiles to £5,531 raised for SAMH and Clan Cancer Support since June 2025, and more than £12,500 raised since the initiative was launched in 2021.
Alongside fundraising, the campaign promotes positive conversations around mental health through weekly endurance challenges, community engagement and partnerships with businesses, charities and community organisations. The initiative aims to encourage people to seek support, reduce stigma and highlight the importance of wellbeing both inside and outside the workplace.
Born in Transylvania, Romania, before building his career and life in Scotland, Marius said the latest donation demonstrates how communities can come together to support a shared cause across international borders.
He said: “I am incredibly grateful to Razvan and Rotary Club Cetățuie Cluj Napoca for their generosity and belief in what Miles of Smiles is trying to achieve. This support is about far more than fundraising. It reflects the shared commitment to improving mental health, strengthening communities and reminding people that no one should face their struggles alone. It is especially meaningful to see support coming from both Romania and Scotland, showing that compassion, collaboration and community know no borders.”
The campaign continues until 31st of December 2026, with Marius undertaking weekly fundraising challenges while working full-time in a leadership role with Elior UK. Through Miles of Smiles, he hopes to inspire more organisations, businesses and individuals to champion positive mental health and support the charities delivering vital services across Scotland.