Celebrate Aberdeen Awards finalist invites local companies to consider corporate donations and matched funding for SAMH and Clan Cancer Support.
Aberdeen-based fundraiser Marius Coste is appealing to businesses across the North-east to support the final eight weeks of his Miles of Smiles campaign, which concludes on 31 December 2026.
Founded following the heartbreaking loss of Marius and his wife’s three babies through miscarriage, Miles of Smiles has developed into a sustained fundraising and awareness campaign supporting mental health, bereavement and cancer charities.
Driven by the message You are never alone, the campaign combines endurance challenges, community engagement, workplace awareness and fundraising.
The achievements so far
At the end of Week 74 of the 82-week challenge, Marius has:
- Completed 4,704 km through running, walking and cycling (on top of the 3,000km ran during 2021)
- Raised more than £12,751 since Miles of Smiles began in 2021.
- Raised more than £5,751 specifically for SAMH and Clan Cancer Support since June 2025.
- Completed at least 50 km every week for 74 consecutive weeks, without missing a week.
- Completed 348 cold showers and 77 cold-water dips.
- Generated more than 500,000 social media impressions across LinkedIn and Instagram during 2025, with individual campaign videos attracting over 100,000 views.
National recognition and community impact
The campaign has received considerable recognition and support, including a personal letter from First Minister John Swinney, acknowledgement from a Scottish Government Minister describing the fundraising as “truly impressive”, and an endorsement from Olympic champion Liz McColgan.
Most recently, Marius was honoured to be named a finalist in the Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year category at the 2026 Celebrate Aberdeen Awards, held on 31 October.
Miles of Smiles has also received coverage through STV News, The Press and Journal, Northsound 1, Original 106, Tay FM, ACVO and Rotary GB&I Magazine, among other local and national platforms.
Beyond fundraising, Marius has delivered mental health and resilience talks in workplaces and community settings, including an engagement with approximately 50 oil and gas professionals at Baker Hughes. He has supported local initiatives and partnerships involving Sport Aberdeen, Rotary clubs, schools and community organisations.
The campaign has also travelled internationally, with more than 150 km completed across Beijing, the Great Wall of China and Foshan, maintaining the weekly commitment in temperatures reaching 35–40°C and humidity exceeding 80%.
An invitation to North-east businesses
With the challenge approaching its conclusion on 31 December, Marius is inviting businesses to consider becoming part of the final chapter through:
- A one-off corporate donation.
- Matched funding, matching donations raised during the remaining weeks, either in full or up to an agreed amount.
- Raffle prizes or other practical fundraising support.
All fundraising support will benefit SAMH and Clan Cancer Support.
Marius said: “My ambition has always been simple: to raise as much as possible, reach as many people as possible and remind anyone facing difficult times that they are never alone.
“After 74 consecutive weeks of commitment, I would be incredibly grateful if businesses across Aberdeen and the North-east would consider supporting these two important charities during the final weeks. Every contribution can make a difference.”