A few months ago, over half of the HMA team agreed to take part in the GiG Malta Half Marathon, to raise awareness and much needed funds for teenage mental health charity stem4.
After just 4 months of training, through the good weather and the bad (mainly bad – looking at you Ciara and Dennis!) and a real push from everyone to raise as much money as possible, race weekend came around very quickly! So off we jetted to Malta early on Saturday morning full of excitement (and a few nerves!), to take part in what was our very first half marathon for most of the team.
On Saturday evening, the night before the race, we enjoyed a ‘Pre-Race Pasta Party’ (for some carb loading – it was a good enough excuse for us anyway!) with stem4 and those who were also running and raising money on behalf of stem4. It was fantastic to meet and chat to all of the amazing people who work for and support the teenage mental health charity in one way or another.
Sunday morning soon rolled around, and with a weather forecast of 21°c no less, with not one cloud in the sky! So, after lining our stomachs with yet more carbs at breakfast and applying many layers of sun cream, we were ready to take to the start line in Mdina.
And just a few hours later… WE DID IT! We are very proud to say that every single one of team HMA completed the Half Marathon, and all under 3 hours too – which is incredible to say that we had all been training in a slightly chillier climate of 0°c-4°c, not 21°c!
- Guy completed in 1:50:10
- Nicola completed in 2:22:17
- Jonny completed in 2:26:06
- Jack completed in 2:39:03
- Steve completed in 2:44:08
- Emma completed in 2:44:08
- Chris completed in 2:46:59
- Rachel completed in 2:53:46
Most importantly though, we were able to raise awareness and much needed funds for stem4. So we would like to extend our thanks to every single person who sponsored HMA as a team or individually. As a result of this generosity, we have absolutely smashed our target and raised £4555 for stem4.
HMA has been stem4’s design and tech partner for nearly three years and in that time, we have witnessed first-hand the incredible work that this teenage mental health charity delivers. Based in Wimbledon, the charity was formed by consultant clinical psychologist Dr Nihara Krause, who along with her stem4 team promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them. This includes their families and carers, education professionals, as well as school nurses and GPs through the provision of mental health education, resilience strategies and early intervention.
Once again, thank you for believing in team HMA and giving so generously.
Same time next year team HMA?!
