FINANCIAL ADVISER PLEDGES TO RAISE £1,500 FOR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY

Financial adviser Dave Southby who set up his own business just two years ago, has pledged to raise at least £1,500 for Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind this year.

The 30 year old, who lives in Wroughton, is undertaking several activities throughout the year to raise the money including taking part in a walking marathon from Stonehenge to Avebury in April and running a charity golf day in June. He’ll also be donating a percentage of any profits he makes throughout the year.

Dave said: “I’ve chosen this charity because I feel it does great work in my community and over the border in Gloucestershire to help people who are struggling with their mental health. This work can often go unnoticed yet it’s critical to support people to get back on their feet. The team have supported a close friend of mine over the last year or so and I feel it’s important to give back in some way as a ‘thank you’.”

Yazmin Taylor of Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, said: “On behalf of Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind, I would like to thank Dave Southby for his pledge to raise at least £1500 for our work in the community.

“Through the support of incredible fundraisers and beneficiaries, Mind and Local Mind Associations (LMAs) such as Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind are recognised as the lead mental health charity for England and Wales. 

“At least one in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year with one in six people reporting a common mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week. Locally, at least 12% (approximately, 27,600 people) of the population in Swindon and 11% (approximately, 70,000) of the population in Gloucestershire experience a common mental health problem.”

For one member of staff to answer calls on the Mind Line service costs £140 per day, and for seven days per week, it costs £348,251 per year to keep the lines manned. 

To fund the charity’s Wellbeing Day services Monday to Friday, providing face to face and group support in the community, costs £967.08 per day.

A former student of The Ridgeway School in Swindon, Dave set up on his own in business after an early career in the motor trade. He has always been entrepreneurial and, as a teenager, held down four part-time jobs.

“From an early age I valued working and having my own money and for this reason I decided at 18 to get a full-time job rather than move into higher education. I was already working four jobs then! I had a fantastic time working with Land Rover however I always wanted to work for myself and it’s not a decision I’ve regretted. The Swindon business community is so welcoming, and supportive and I’m now proud to be part of it.”

Dave is a partner with St James’ Place and helps individuals, families and small business owners to manage their wealth effectively. He specialises in working with people who live in Swindon and North Wiltshire. To find out more about him visit https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/davesouthby