COLLEAGUES from Lloyds Banking Group have successfully completed the ‘Walk the Talk’ challenge by trekking the length of one the world’s most iconic landmarks in aid of Mental Health UK.

Kevin Toovey, a lifelong Haslemere resident and senior bank manager covering the Farnham, Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet branches, was one of those to take on the challenge.

While thousands of colleagues took part in local walks across the UK, Kevin and a team of 34 colleagues trekked 22 miles across the Great Wall of China over five days.

Kevin aimed to raise £4,000 toward the total challenge target of £140,000. He exceeded this by raising more than £16,000, with the team raising more than £260,000.

In addition to trekking, Kevin and his colleagues were able to lend a hand in repairing the Great Wall by carrying bricks from the bottom of the wall to repair the watchtowers.

This demanding challenge was in aid of Lloyds Banking Group’s two-year charity partnership with Mental Health UK.

It will enable the charity to connect with the most vulnerable people living with mental health issues who are often the hardest to reach, and who might be living in isolated communities, struggling in silence.

Having already raised more than £8 million, Lloyds Bank have extended the partnership for a third year.

Mental health is particularly important to Kevin, whose close friends lost their daughter to problems associated with mental health. Kevin now wants to encourage others to open up and ask for help, to reduce the stigma around mental health.

Kevin said: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am ecstatic to have participated in something that will make such a big difference.

“The training was tough, but I made some great friends along the way and hopefully the amount of money that I have fundraised will pave the way to open up more positive discussions around mental health.”

Fiona Cannon, group director of responsible business at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “The amount raised by colleagues taking part in ‘Walk the Talk’ across the UK and in China is truly commendable.

“Their commitment to training, fundraising and raising awareness of this important cause sits at the heart of our ambition to help Britain prosper.”

Managing director of Mental Health UK, Brian Dow, added: “Thank you to all of the Lloyds Banking Group colleagues for all that they do to raise awareness of mental health.

“Their fundraising efforts never cease to amaze us and this challenge is truly astonishing. Every kilometre travelled will help us support people living with mental health issues.”