A facilities management leader in the North-east has reached a significant milestone in a long-running wellbeing and fundraising initiative supporting mental health and cancer charities.
Marius Coste, Facilities Management Leader for Elior at Work, completed Week 50 of his 82-week “Miles of Smiles” campaign at Hazlehead Parkrun in Aberdeen, marking the midpoint of his endurance challenge.
As part of the initiative, Marius participated in the parkrun dressed as a 1980s-style lifeguard, continuing a campaign designed to promote mental health awareness, resilience, and community engagement.
The initiative has now covered more than 3,100 kilometres across running, walking, and cycling activities, alongside cold-water exposure challenges.
To date, the campaign has raised over £11k for charitable causes, including SAMH and Clan Cancer Support.
The latest milestone event took place at Hazlehead Parkrun, where volunteers and participants welcomed the campaign’s debut at the popular Aberdeen running event.
Marius said the initiative aims to maintain focus on mental health awareness and encourage open conversations around wellbeing, while supporting frontline charities delivering services across Scotland.
The campaign will continue for a further 32 weeks, with a total target of 82 weeks of activity combining endurance sport and fundraising.
Campaign summary (Week 50 of 82):
- 3,103 km completed
- £4,268+ raised (plus £7,000 previously raised for SAMH in 2021)
- 240 cold showers
- 54 cold-water dips