Marius Coste, Facilities Management Leader with Elior, has reached Month 13 of his 19-month “Miles of Smiles” fundraising challenge, an initiative that combines community engagement, physical activity and fundraising to support mental health and cancer services across Scotland.
Throughout June, Marius participated in a range of community events across the north-east, including Aberdeen parkrun, the Kiltwalk Wee Wander, Sport Aberdeen’s Get Active Champions event and Albyn School Sports Day. Appearing in a variety of themed costumes, the initiative aims to encourage conversations around mental health, reduce stigma and bring communities together through positive engagement.
One of the month’s key milestones was an invitation from SAMH to visit The Nook Aberdeen shortly before the new facility opened. During the visit, Marius learned that fundraising from the campaign had contributed towards supporting the charity’s work, reinforcing the impact that community-led fundraising can have on expanding access to mental health services.
The campaign also reached an international audience during a family visit to China, where Marius completed a charity walk along the Great Wall dressed as Superman, helping to raise awareness of the message that mental health is a global issue and that support and conversation should know no boundaries.
To date, the challenge has covered 3,606 kilometres, raised more than £11k for SAMH and Clan Cancer Support, and maintained 13 consecutive months of weekly fundraising activity without interruption.
Reflecting on the milestone, Marius said: “Community is at the heart of everything this challenge represents. Every donation, every conversation and every person who has supported the campaign has helped make a genuine difference. I’m grateful to everyone who has played a part in the journey so far.”
With six months remaining, the challenge will continue to support charities, community organisations and events across Aberdeen and the north-east while promoting wellbeing, resilience and the importance of looking out for one another.