FASTSIGNS St Albans employee takes on Kilimanjaro challenge

The team at FASTSIGNS St Albans along with the business’s UK head office is backing Rosie Lees, a visual communications specialist at FASTSIGNS St Albans, who is joining four others from a local business networking group to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for a mental health charity.

Lees and her group are tackling the challenge following previous challenges such as a three-day walking challenge in the Lake District, completing a 10km race, running a half marathon, and hiking and training in the gym up to six days a week.

Funds are being raised for The OLLIE Foundation, an initiative that launched in 2016 by three parents in order to prevent suicide and support mental health amongst young people. After facing her own mental health challenges, the charity is close to Lee's heart.

FASTSIGNS St Albans will be providing additional resources and branded items including apparel and pull-up banners in order to promote the challenge. A golf day is being held by one of the centre’s suppliers with marketing materials being provided by FASTSIGNS International’s head office.

The aim of Lees and her group is to raise £12,500 in build up to the challenge which will be documented on Instagram and Lee’s Just Giving page.  

Speaking about the challenge, Lees says: “We’ve always been encouraged by the team to ensure we’re connecting with our local community, whether that be joining networking or business groups, or working closely with a charity partner that’s making a real difference in our area. It’s fundamental to the way we work and something we’re really very proud of.

“Taking on this challenge means so much to me personally, too. Mental health has always been close to my heart, especially after going through my own struggles over the last 12 years. The OLLIE Foundation provides the kind of support I didn’t have when I needed it most and I want to do everything I can to raise awareness and funds for such an important cause.

Chris Sibley, co-founder of The OLLIE Foundation, adds: “The OLLIE Foundation may be a grassroots charity, but it’s far mightier than the sum of its parts. Relying on donations and the power of community, OLLIE’s mission to change, and save, lives depends on people coming together.

“As one of OLLIE’s founders, I am constantly moved by the kindness and compassion of supporters like Rosie, who, along with her team, is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise vital funds. Just nine months ago, we were complete strangers. At OLLIE, it’s always about people helping people.”

Speaking about her motivation during the challenge, Lees concludes: “Every step I take in this challenge is a step toward helping others who are facing their own battles, showing that if I can get back from rock bottom, they can too. My training has been intense, with each of my training milestones pushing me to my limits, but it’s all part of preparing for the bigger goal ahead."