Story | Midrex Gives Back
Living Our Purpose: Nigel’s Trek for Charity
June 20, 2024
On Saturday, June 1st, Nigel Phillips, head of our MUK Office in London, embarked on an ambitious journey as part of our annual Midrex charitable activities. This year, Nigel completed a challenging 37-mile walk on the Downs Link in the south of England, a path that connects the North Downs Way and the South Downs Way, both long distance trails.
This trek is Nigel’s latest contribution in a series of annual charity walks, following previous routes such as the Jurassic Coast in 2021, the River Thames Path in 2022, and the 1066 Route in 2023. The Downs Link follows the path of historic railway tracks from the 1860s, passing through charming towns and villages like Bramley, Baynards, Christ’s Hospital, Partridge Green, and Bramber, and ending in Shoreham-by-Sea. The journey, marked by old platforms and converted station houses, also includes the unique “double bridge” – an iron bridge over a brick archway bridge, showcasing engineering adaptations from the railway era.
Each year, Nigel chooses to support a local hospice center, Hospice in the Weald, and selects an additional charity that resonates with him at the time. This year, his support for MIND, a mental health organization in England and Wales, reflects his commitment to raising awareness and aiding those struggling with mental health issues.
Inspired by Midrex’s Relay for Life event in 2021 in the United States, Nigel wanted to create his own memorable challenge to demonstrate his commitment to Midrex’s charitable values, even from across the pond in the UK. He seeks to support meaningful causes and to show solidarity with Midrex colleagues worldwide.
Nigel’s previous walks include a 60-mile trek along the Jurassic Coast and a 38-mile walk along the River Thames. While the Jurassic Coast Walk was an organized two day event, Nigel planned and executed the other walks himself, aiming to challenge both his physical endurance and his dedication to philanthropy.
Looking to do a walk for charity yourself? Nigel encourages others to take on similar challenges by finding an organized event near them, or by choosing a route near you that is easily accessible, historically or architecturally interesting, and walking for a purpose that is personally meaningful.
Nigel’s dedication is a testament to the Midrex spirit of giving back and making a difference, one step at a time.
Visit the MIND and Hospice in the Weald websites to learn more and for ways in which you can support them: What we do – Mind – Mind & Hospice in the Weald | Kent | East Sussex
