Each year, every Managing Director at Oak is provided with £2,000 to make a tangible difference in their community. As a result, Julie Coutu is proud to sponsor a 100-mile section of Project Endure, an extraordinary endurance challenge that will see Drew Jonkmans run the length of mainland UK before cycling back again. Drew will cover a total of 2,000 miles in just 30 days.
This challenge is about far more than testing physical limits. It is a platform to address mental health, particularly in Guernsey. Access to support is often slow or prohibitively expensive, with many islanders facing long GP referral waits or private therapy fees. Over the past decade, suicide rates on the island have doubled, reaching 15 per 100,000 people, almost twice the UK average, highlighting a need for change.
Julie’s passion for people’s wellbeing led her to use her Managing Director’s budget to genuinely make a difference. For Julie, Project Endure is a natural fit; it is about ensuring that support is not only available, but also affordable and accessible to all, regardless of circumstance.
Julie Coutu, Managing Director of Private Clients, highlighted:
“Mental health affects every community, yet too often the right support is out of reach for those who need it most. I believe that everyone should have access to care that is both timely and affordable, without barriers that make people feel isolated or unsupported. Project Endure embodies that belief. It is about taking action, raising awareness and ensuring that real help is available when and where it is needed”
Through his journey, Drew will not only run and cycle the length of the UK but also share stories from those affected by mental health challenges, inspiring both awareness and action. The challenge will be captured in a documentary designed to educate, break stigma and encourage systemic change.
Follow Drew’s journey and learn more about Project Endure on his website or social channels.
