Swindon-based independent estate agency Castles Residential Sales & Lettings is sponsoring nutritionist and performance coach Jamie Richards as he aims to raise £30,000 for SMASH Youth Project, the town’s youth mentoring charity.
Castles recently handed over a cheque for £200 – part of its £1,250 sponsorship – to Jamie as he took a break from training for the legendary Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race.
The five-day adventure next May will cover 300km and climb 16,000m through the wild, trackless, remote and mountainous terrain of Wales from north to south.
It holds ‘toughest race’ status and is classed as the most gruelling five-day mountain running race in the world.
Swindon and Bristol-based Jamie works with individuals, organisations, teams and athletes across the South West to help them regain health, optimise their weight and boost their performance.
He said: “I’ve always enjoyed getting involved with local charities and as my 50th birthday approaches, I wanted a challenge to celebrate this.
“My partner Tracy Ellis has been a SMASH mentor for some time and I’ve seen the fantastic direct impact that they have.
“We’ve set a deliberately high target of £30,000 over the next 10 months, that I hope reflects the huge effort that’s going into attempting a terrifying race like this, under the banner SMASH YOUR GOALS.
“But more importantly, we’d like to raise awareness of the tremendous benefits of mentoring within the local community. It’s such a rewarding experience.”
SMASH Youth Project gives young people aged 9-19 years the chance to become everything they can be through mentoring. Since its launch in 1999, it has helped more than 1,000 young people transform their lives.
Castles managing director Mark Noble said: “SMASH Youth Project fills an enormous gap in the lives of vulnerable young people in Swindon.
“Where many institutions exclude these people, SMASH Youth Project is there showing belief in their potential and providing support and guidance.
“Their contribution – which they give freely – to these people is invaluable both for the individuals who benefit directly and the wider community. So, we’re delighted at Castles to support Jamie’s efforts and, by extension, SMASH Youth Project.”
To donate to Jamie Richards’ SMASH Youth Project fund, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamie-richards4
Find out more about SMASH Youth Project at www.smashyouthproject.co.uk
Pictured: Jamie Richards, front, with, from left, Mark Noble, Claire Steele, Chris Taylor and Gary Price
