Marks & Spencer : M&S launches the Big Fun-Raiser for YoungMinds mental health support

• Over 360 M&S stores taking on fundraising challenges this week across the UK
• Marathon walks also being held across London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast
• M&S x YoungMinds partnership aims to raise £5m and support seven million young people and the adults in their lives over the next three years

Today, M&S is launching a week-long 'Fun-raiser' across its stores for YoungMinds, the leading mental health charity for young people, to raise awareness and much needed funds for those struggling with their mental health.

Over 360 M&S stores across the UK will take on a 'fun-raising' challenge from today (Monday 3rd June) to see how far they can go for the charity - from skydiving to fancy dress and cycling the equivalent of Lands End to John O'Groats. Customers will be able to donate in-store or via the M&S website here.

The activity is part of the retailer's partnership with YoungMinds, announced in October 2023, which aims to raise £5million over the next three years to support young people's mental health.

This will enable YoungMinds to support seven million young people and the adults in their lives through easy to access online resources and its dedicated Parent's Helpline.

To kick-start the partnership, M&S made a £1 million donation and the generosity of customers and colleagues has raised an additional £700,000 so far.

Last month, M&S also announced that 5p from the sale of every loaf in its Farmhouse loaf range would be donated to YoungMinds. The popular Farmhouse range is comprised of five different loaves and now has updated packaging to highlight the donation.

Research commissioned last year by M&S and YoungMinds found that despite struggling with their mental health, 65% of young people hadn't asked for any kind of formal support - 33% of those said they felt too embarrassed.

While loneliness was found to be the primary cause of mental health problems among young people surveyed, 61% of those waiting for mental health support said they had stopped attending school, college, university or work - risking greater isolation from their friends.

Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at M&S, said:"We have already smashed our initial fundraising target just eight months into our three-year partnership with YoungMinds. With £5 million our ultimate goal, we're keeping that energy going by launching our Big Fun-raiser this week. I'll be joining the marathon walk across London and I can't wait to see what activities our stores have lined up. YoungMinds do incredible work and young people's mental health is a hugely important cause. We're proud to do our bit and with the help of our 32m customers and 64,000-strong M&S family - together, we've got this!"

Laura Bunt, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said:"Life is increasingly tough for young people and record numbers are in need of support for their mental health. When they're able to access the help they need, things can get better, but the wait for support is often too long or the right support isn't available. Together with M&S, we want to show young people that together we can turn things around. The incredible fundraising efforts by M&S will help us reach and support more young people and the adults in their lives."

As well as undertaking fundraising challenges in store, over 60 colleagues will also be taking part in marathon walks across London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast - stopping off at multiple M&S stores enroute. They will be joined by YoungMinds representatives and senior leaders from across M&S.

ENDS

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03 Jun 20242024Sustainability