It was really great to take part again in a Mackenzie Jones Corporate Social Responsibility initiative in the form of the Standard Chartered 10km Dubai Run. Having completed the Desert Warrior Course as part of a team, this time I felt confident enough to go solo in representing Mackenzie Jones and raising money for the Mental Health Charity, MIND.
I completed the run in 45 minutes and 30 seconds and am pleased to have raised 3,824 AED (729.99 GBP) for MIND who do great work in supporting people with mental health issues. They do this through therapy alongside training for mental health professionals, and also lobbying government to raise awareness of what is often a stigmatized illness.
I had a rest from training after the Desert Warrior but started back in earnest in January doing strength and stamina training most mornings before work and then running after work on a Tuesday evening around Jumeirah Lakes Towers. I built my distance up weekly from 5km to the 10km which I completed two days before the event.
Keeping fit is now a big part of my life as I hit my late 30’s, and also helping people less fortunate is very important to me too, which is why I’m glad that we have a strong Corporate Social Responsibility ethic at Mackenzie Jones.
Written by: Matthew Hayfield
