Competing in the 100k distance, Fabio will test his limits through running rugged terrain, medieval towns, deep forests, and breathtaking coastal trails. Fabio is taking on the personal challenge to raise awareness and funds for Youthful Minds, a local mental health charity dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of young people in Jersey.

In this Q&A, he shares his motivation, training journey, race day strategy, and the deeper purpose behind his challenge.

Why is raising awareness for youth mental health so important to you?

Mental health support is so important, particularly for young people who may not have access to the help they need. When the charity gave a presentation to our team, and shared stories of those who have benefited from their incredible work, it really resonated with me. As Crestbridge’s chosen charity of the year, I wanted to raise awareness and support their mission. If this effort helps even one young person ,then it will be more than worth it.

How have you been preparing for the race?

I’ve been training for the last five months, dedicating 10-15 hours a week to a mix of road running, trail running, and gym work. Nutrition is a big focus too, I’ve been eating plenty of protein and complex carbs to keep my energy levels up. I did have a setback with a knee injury that slowed me down for a few weeks, but I adjusted my training and kept pushing forward.

What has been the most difficult part of training?

The last five to six weeks have been brutal. Training in the dark and in the cold – it takes a lot of mental strength and motivation. The hardest part is getting out the door, but I remind myself how far I’ve come. I tell myself, ‘If you don’t want to go back to where you came from, get up and get it done.’ That keeps me going!

Do you have a strategy for the race on the day?

I have a simple strategy – take it one checkpoint at a time. I won’t worry about who’s ahead or behind me – just focus on my own race. I’ll stay fueled, hydrated and keep my mindset strong. It’s all about pacing and keeping my body moving forward.

What will be going through your mind as you cross the finish line?

Relief, pride, and probably exhaustion! It will be a huge personal achievement but I’ll also be thinking about why I did this in the first place – raising awareness for Youthful Minds and proving to myself that I could push through.

How can people support your fundraising efforts?

Crestbridge Family Office Services have kindly donated £500 towards the challenge, and I’ve set up a JustGiving page with a goal of raising £1000.

Any donation, big or small, makes a difference.  You can donate here: Fabio’s JustGiving

What message do you have for young people struggling with mental health challenges?

There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Whatever you’re going through, don’t give up hope and be sure to speak to someone.

About Youthful Minds

Youthful Minds is a voluntary participation group in which the young people aim to educate others about Mental Health, tackle and reduce stigma surrounding Mental Health and Mental illness and aims to improve services for Children and Young People in Jersey through sharing the voice of their lived experience. The group meet on a weekly basis and are actively involved in raising awareness and improving services outside of their weekly meetings too. Youthful Minds promotes self-confidence and self-esteem and allows young people to make a meaningful difference within an area they are passionate about.

The £500 donation was prize money awarded to Karen Morris, Head of Finance at Crestbridge FOS, following her winning the Jersey Society of Chartered and Certified Accountants (JSCCA) President’s Award for Inspiring Leadership recently.

The accolade, which is in memory of late JSCCA president Chris Stuart, recognises those who have shown inspiring mentorship, prioritised and invested in team members, and helped them reach their full potential. Recipients of the JSCCA award are presented with £500 to gift to a charity of their choice – with Karen choosing Youthful Minds, which is part of Mind Jersey and works to support the mental wellbeing of young people living on the Island.

Crestbridge FOS recently pledged to support Youthful Minds as part of its ongoing commitment to the local community for 2025. The charity was deemed a natural fit due to its alignment with the business’s clear focus on supporting client families and emphasis on the wellbeing of its staff.

Over the coming year, the team at Crestbridge FOS will help the charity, which is led by volunteers and this year marks its 10^th anniversary, to raise awareness around mental health in young people and undertake fundraising initiatives to help provide the charity with financial assistance.

Commenting on receiving the donation, Amy Hall, Children, Young Person and Families Service Manager at Mind Jersey, said:

“This is a very welcome donation from Karen and the team at Crestbridge Family Office Services. We’re looking forward to working with the team further as part of their support for us this year, as we continue to raise awareness around mental health in young people in the island.”

The decision to support Youthful Minds – which is part of Mind Jersey and is dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of young people in Jersey – represents a natural fit for Crestbridge FOS, with the firm having a clear focus on supporting client families and placing a significant emphasis on the wellbeing of its own people and their families.

As part of its support, the team at Crestbridge FOS will help the charity to raise awareness around mental health in young people, and undertake fundraising initiatives over the course of the year to help provide the charity with financial assistance.

Youthful Minds, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, is led by a group of volunteers aged 11-26, all of whom have a passion for raising awareness and reducing stigma around mental health in Jersey. Through its ongoing outreach programme, the charity aims to educate and raise awareness around children and young people’s mental health in Jersey; to reduce stigma around mental health and mental illness in young people; and ensure the voices of those who have experienced mental health problems are heard.

Commenting on the support for Youthful Minds, Heather Tibbo, CEO, Crestbridge FOS, said:

“Supporting the vital work of Youthful Minds is a natural fit for us, aligning perfectly with our values as a business. Families and young people are at the heart of everything we do – both in terms of our clients and our own people, many of whom have young families. We are therefore very alive to the challenges young people and their families face, both professionally and personally.

“The work undertaken by Youthful Minds is absolutely critical in building a safe and supportive environment for young people in Jersey, and we look forward to building a strong relationship with the amazing team at the charity over the coming months.”

Amy Hall, Children, Young Person and Families Service Manager at Mind Jersey, added:

“We are delighted to have the support of the team at Crestbridge Family Office Services this year, in what is an important 10th anniversary year for us. Their support will be hugely helpful as we continue to raise awareness around mental health in young people in the island, and ensure that young people’s voices, ideas and experiences continue to shape and improve mental health services in Jersey.”