DAY SIX
The final day of the MIMHC Walk & Talk wrapped up on Friday (16th May), with the group finishing up at 144-miles, just over the original 140-mile plan.
The sixth day saw the final group of walkers head from Watford Central to the Landbay offices at London Victoria, covering 24 miles in “glorious sunshine,” according to Jason Berry.
The Walk & Talk event centred around breaking the stigma and building support, which includes fundraising for the Niall Stringer Foundation. Donations are still welcome here.
The final leg of walkers joining core pair Jason Berry and Dev Malle were: Rob Jupp – Brightstar Group; Niall Hebron – Connect; Wayne Smethurst – All Money Matters; Scott Howitt – Chartwell Mortgage Services; Hemat Natha – Mortgage Advice Point; Dan Narwal – Together; Emma Hall – Movin Legal; Robyn Hall – Mortgage Soup; David Jones – Click2Check; and Mark Montgomery – Simplify.
Berry said: “A large and diverse group joined for the closing stage – an inspiring reflection of the mortgage industry’s wide and inclusive reach.
“From brokers to business leaders, lenders to networks, today brought together voices from every corner of the sector in a strong show of unity.
“The tone was uplifting. As we followed the Grand Union Canal through leafy suburbs into the heart of the capital, conversations deepened and connections solidified.
“There was a shared realisation: this journey has been about far more than steps – it’s about friendship and momentum.
“Mental health must remain on the agenda, not just today, but every day.
“As we arrived at LANDBAY’s offices, there was a sense of accomplishment, and renewed commitment.”
The theme of the final Walk & Talk day was ‘Unity in diversity’, which Berry explained helped highlight that “mental health doesn’t discriminate” and “when our sector comes together, change is possible.”
Daily Shout-Outs:
Berry sent a heartfelt thanks to Jane and Juliette Berry, whose “behind-the-scenes efforts –keeping everyone fuelled, smiling, and hydrated – made this demanding week smoother and more enjoyable for all.
“Their care reminded us that kindness powers progress.”
DAY FIVE
The fifth day of the 140-mile MIMHC Walk & Talk event has concluded, raising awareness around mental health in the mortgage industry, as well as vital funds for the Niall Stringer Foundation.
Day 5 saw the walking team make it from Tring to Watford Central, covering 24 miles on a slightly colder day with a sharp breeze that, according to Jason Berry, co-founder of MIMHC, made “gilets essential.”
The Walk & Talk initiative is not only raising awareness and creating conversation, but raising funds for the Niall Stringer Foundation, with a £10,000 goal. Donations are welcome and can be made here.
Berry reported that the 15th May was a more broker-led group, with “lots of common ground and deep personal conversations.”
He added: “With just seven of us on the path today, the intimacy of the group allowed for powerful, unfiltered chat.
“Stories were shared that don’t often get spoken aloud—about pressure, self-doubt, and the quiet strength found in solidarity.
“The mood was calm but purposeful, with a shared understanding that mental resilience isn’t a solo journey.”
The theme of today’s Walk & Talk was, fittingly, ‘The strength in small circles’.
Friday 16th of May will see the walkers tackle the final leg of the journey, from Watford to Paddington.
Berry said: “Spirits are high, and hearts are full as we prepare to walk the last miles together into London.”
Alongside core walkers Jason Berry and Dev Malle, day five was completed by: Andrew Perryman (Lifetime Connect), Wayne Smethurst (All Money Matters), Scott Howitt (Chartwell Mortgage Services), Mike Douglas (Lifesearch), and Andy Frankish (Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation).
Daily Shout-Outs:
Berry offered “a big thank you to the broker legends who showed up, especially Andy Frankish of MAB Foundation who completed [an] over 300 mile round trip to walk with us.”
DAY FOUR
The fourth leg of the MIMHC 2025 charity Walk & Talk has drawn to a close, with walkers travelling from Campbell Wharf Marina to Tring Railway Station.
The 14th May walk covered 23 miles, under blue skies and continued sunshine, with today’s theme for discussion being ‘Why we must talk’.
For Day 4, those joining core walkers Jason Berry and Dev Malle were: Aimee Jo Shutt – Santander; Eliot Young – The Movin Portal; Matt Taylor – Shawbrook Bank; and Martin Sims – Molo Finance.
The Walk & Talk initiative is not only raising awareness and creating conversation, but raising vital funds for the Niall Stringer Foundation, with a £10,000 goal. Donations are welcome and can be made here.
The group has now surpassed the halfway point for this goal, which means that with a matching donation from Together, the £10,000 mark is easily in reach – there is always room for more, and donations continue to be welcome for the worthy cause.
Jason Berry said: “With a smaller group today, the pace was steady, the conversations deeper, and the sense of connection even more meaningful.
“There’s something powerful about walking in a smaller group – fewer distractions, more room to talk. Today felt like therapy in motion.
“A quiet moment shared on a bench by the canal reminded me why this initiative matters: when the noise fades, people often open up.
“One walker said, ‘I’ve never had this kind of conversation in a work setting – I didn’t realise how much I needed it.’ That’s impact.”
Berry added: “Please keep the donations coming – it truly lifts the group and inspires every step we take.”
Tomorrow, the group will set off from Tring Railway Station and head south along the Grand Union Canal to Watford Central – another 23 miles of connection, conversation, and community.
Daily Shout-Out
Berry called out top work from Aimie-Jo Shutt from Santander, who completed her second consecutive day, covering nearly 50 miles in total.
Berry said: “Driven, determined, and focused… underestimate AJ at your peril.”
DAY THREE
The third leg of MIMHC’s six-day Walk & Talk charity event ended yesterday (13th May), following 23 miles of trekking in glorious sunshine, from Braunston Junction to Stoke Bruerne.
The event comprises a 140-mile walk, which attendees can join for whichever days they are able, going from Birmingham to London in the space of six days.
The team is walking to raise awareness and vital funds for the Niall Stringer Foundation, with a £10,000 goal. Donations are welcome and can be made here.
For Day 3, those joining core walkers Jason Berry and Dev Malle were: Aimie Jo Shutt – Santander; Rob Stanton – LANDBAY; Matt Martin – Virgin Money; Alan Davison – Afin Bank; James Briggs – Afin Bank; Sam Waterhouse – LANDBAY; James Prosser – Mortgage Strategy; and Nicola Firth – Knowledge Bank.
Each day of the Walk & Talk event is themed, with discussions for Day 3 centring around ‘The Power of Courage’.
Berry said: “Whether it’s facing personal challenges or showing up for others, today was all about bravery. The courage to talk, to listen, and to keep walking forward.”
He added: “Today’s stretch brought deep, meaningful conversations and incredible honesty.
“We were joined by inspiring individuals who shared stories of overcoming addiction, navigating the pain of bereavement and loss, and supporting children through sexuality dilemmas.
“These moments of raw truth and vulnerability reminded us exactly why the MIMHC Walk & Talk matters.
“As the miles ticked by and the sun beat down, what stood out most was the courage of those willing to speak up.
“One comment stuck with me: ‘It’s only when we stop hiding that healing really begins’.
“Mental health is not just a topic – it’s personal, and hearing these stories gives our journey even more purpose.”
Tomorrow, the team will continue its journey from Campbell Wharf Marina near Milton Keynes to Travelodge Luton (LU4 8RQ).
Berry said: “A new day, a new path, the same mission: keep talking, keep walking.”
Daily Shout-Outs:
Berry recognised Rob Stanton and Alan Davison, “whose dedication set the tone for everyone.”
Stanton showed incredible resilience after twisting his knee the day prior, but “a knee brace and sheer determination saw him cover another 23 miles today. That’s 46 miles in two days – phenomenal.”
Davison, meanwhile, is a die-hard Sunderland fan who still turned up despite the drama unfolding at the top of the Championship, completing 13 miles with the group before heading back North.
Berry said: “His leadership with the compass early on also ensured we didn’t stray off course – perhaps symbolic of his journey both as a fan and a supporter of mental health.”
DAY TWO
The second leg of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) charity Walk & Talk event has drawn to a close, with walkers making it from Hatton Locks to Braunston Marina.
The second day saw representatives from across the mortgage industry travel 23 miles in a mix of sunshine and thundery showers.
Members of the mortgage market can join at any point during the trek. For Day 2, the group included: Charles Morley – Metro Bank; Michelle Summers – Inspire Mortgages; Paul Purewal – Coventry BS; Richard Howes – Paradigm; Jane Benjamin – Connect Mortgages; Paula Dowson – LANDBAY; Rob Stanton – LANDBAY; Gurpreet Chahal – Accord; Matt Kingston – Nottingham BS; David Finlay – retired (ex-Barclays); James Prosser – Mortgage Strategy; Rob Oliver – Dudley Building Society; and Darrell Walker – Chetwood Bank.
Jason Berry, co-founder of MIMHC and group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance, said that today saw a faster pace set due to the presence of some marathon runners, and that “everyone rose to the challenge with determination and good humour.”
Berry added: “Despite the weather taking a turn, spirits never dropped.
“It was great to see how the shared goal of supporting better mental health created opportunity for real, human conversations.
“It reminded Dev and I that we don’t need perfect conditions to talk – just the willingness to take a step forward together.”
The theme of today’s Walk & Talk was ‘Resilience in Motion’, with the group spending the six-day trek discussing different themes and using the time to show the power of conversation and supporting each other as a group.
The event is raising money for the Niall Stringer Foundation, with a £10,000 target for donations. Donations can be made here.
Daily Shout-Outs:
Berry praised Jane Benjamin for completing the route and Rob Oliver and Paula Dowson for helping her over the line with “care, encouragement, and plenty of laughs.”
DAY ONE
The first day of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter’s (MIMHC) second annual charity hike drew to a close yesterday (Sunday 11th May), marking the start of a 140-mile, six-day trek to raise money and awareness around mental health.
The event is raising money for the Niall Stringer Foundation, with a £10,000 target for donations, which can be added to here.
Last year the event aimed for – and surpassed – a fundraising target of £5,000, raised for Young Minds.
A group of industry professionals will undertake a the trek, covering the full length of the Grand Union Canal – from Birmingham to London – covering over 140 miles to raise awareness for mental health in the mortgage sector.
Each day will commence at a specific start point, allowing walkers to join as and when they are able throughout the week.
The day-one walkers were: Jason Berry – Crystal Specialist Finance and MIMHC, Dev Malle – Simplify, Kath Stagg – Stagg Mortgages, Michelle Ward – Virgin Money, Pete Gwilliam – Virtus Search, Georgia Smith – Buckinghamshire BS, Roger Morris – Chetwood Bank, Mark Montgomery – Simplify, and Nicky Haworth – Rockstead Group.
The group set off from Birmingham Moor Street Station at 8.30am, ending in London on Friday 16th May.
The aim of the six-day event is to encourage connection and conversation, as well as raising awareness and support for mental health in the mortgage industry, and demonstrating what teamwork and purpose can achieve.
Day One saw the team go from Birmingham Digbeth to Hatton Locks, covering 23 miles, with sunshine with a light breeze providing the perfect walking conditions.
Berry said: “We’re off! High spirits as we began our journey from central Birmingham this morning. It didn’t take long before laughter and chat set the tone for the week ahead.
“Starting in the heart of the UK’s second city reminded us that the mortgage industry thrives on community.
“Today was about reconnecting – with others and with ourselves. There’s something special about moving forward with purpose, one step at a time.”
The theme for the first day of the walk was ‘Beginning with Intention’ – the group was encouraged to talk about why they are doing the walk, creating a deeper sense of unity and a reminder that mental health touches everyone in some way.
Day two will see the team head further south along the Grand Union Canal, starting at Hatton Locks near Warwick and moving down to Braunston Marina.
Daily Shout-Outs:
Berry praised Stagg for finishing the last two miles in her flip-flops, and Ward for “a second wind like I’ve never seen before.”
He added: “Amazing what a Costco platter can do for those energy levels – top work by all the day one team with energy, fun stories, and smiles all around.”
