CEO and CFO of Portsmouth's toob raise £7k for mental health charities

Published by

Tom Kilkelly

Mike at the finish line of the Jurassic Coast Walk, credit: toob

CEO Nick Parbutt and CFO Mike Banwell of Portsmouth broadband company toob have been raising funds for charity in a challenge tandem.

The ‘Petersfield Plodders’, a group comprised of Mike and eight fellow rugby coaches, signed up for the Jurassic Coast Walk – a 100km trek and 2360m climb in which participants must push on through the night to make the distance within a 30-hour timeframe.

Mike said: “The Jurassic Coast Walk was a tough challenge for the Petersfield Plodders, but we pulled together and supported each other.

“I’m so proud of the whole team and delighted that we could help support the important work of Mind, an organisation that helps people when they need it most.”

Seeing Mike’s weeks of intensive training with the Plodders, Nick was inspired to undergo his own challenge for charity: abseiling 100m down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower.

Nick’s descent was a success on the day, and his efforts combined with those of the Petersfield Plodders have so far raised £7,331 and counting for mental health charities.

Nick said: “The work of Solent Mind is invaluable. Mental ill health can, and does, affect people from all walks of life, and Solent Mind works so hard to support people suffering from mental ill health and the people surrounding them.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our work to fundraise for such a worthy cause.”

Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022. During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan). His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.