With less than one week to go until Josh Cullinan takes on the London to Brighton 100km Ultra Challenge on 23 May, the focus has shifted from building fitness to staying consistent, recovering well, and sharpening race-day mindset.

In this Q&A we find out what’s surprised him most on this journey, the hardest part of training and why he chose a challenge that pushes him so far outside his comfort zone as he gets ready to supports Youthful Minds and youth mental health awareness in Jersey.

What’s surprised you most about your journey so far?

Marking Mental Health Awareness Week, CEO Heather Tibbo shares why raising awareness in this space is so important — not only for the charity, but for Crestbridge as a business…

Why did Crestbridge initially decide to support Youthful Minds?

As part of the firm’s ‘Brave the Shave’ initiative Chloë agreed to have her head shaved last month, with colleagues and contacts making generous donations to support the charity.

Chloë has always been an active fundraiser and has completed a number of challenges to support local charities over recent years, including the Three Peaks Challenge, abseiling down Mont Orgueil last year, taking part in White Collar Boxing competitions twice, paddleboarding around the island and White Collar DJ-ing.

On 23 May, Josh will take on a 100km ultra marathon — a challenge that demands grit, discipline and a strong mindset. But for Josh, this isn’t just about distance; it’s about purpose.

In this Q&A, he shares what inspired him to start running, how he’s prepared for one of his biggest tests yet, and why he’s passionate about raising awareness for youth mental health in Jersey in support of our chosen charity, Youthful Minds.

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

Chloë will have her hair shaved off on 24 April and is encouraging colleagues and contacts to make a donation to support the cause over the coming weeks.

Josh, who only started distance running last year, has set himself the challenge of competing in the London to Brighton Ultra Marathon this May, covering 100km in one single run from the capital to the south coast.

The route begins in London and stretches all the way down to Brighton’s iconic seafront, covering a mix of city streets, country lanes, and the beautiful but demanding trails of the South Downs, finishing at Brighton Beach. It’s expected to take anywhere between 12 and 18 hours to complete, depending on conditions and pacing — a full day of endurance, grit, and focus.

The money raised through the challenge will go to the charity Youthful Minds – Crestbridge FOS’ chosen charity again this year – which works to support young people’s mental health in Jersey, providing guidance, understanding, and safe spaces for those who may be struggling.

We were delighted to welcome Amy Hall, Children, Young Persons and Families Service Manager at Mind Jersey, along with volunteers from Youthful Minds to our office.

They shared their experiences and insights into the challenges faced by young people today — it was both inspiring and thought-provoking.

Hearing directly about the work they do was a powerful reminder of the meaningful impact we can make together.

We look forward to continuing to support the Youthful Minds programme in 2026.

Fabio took part in the Istria 100 by UTMB challenge last month, which saw him cover a distance of 110 kilometres over difficult and technical terrain, including sections of coasteering, forests and canyons.

Competing alongside more than 500 runners from across the globe, Fabio completed the world-renowned ultra-trail race in 15 hours raising more than £1,000 for Youthful Minds, which Crestbridge FOS has chosen to support in 2025 as part of its ongoing commitment to the local community.

Youthful Minds marks its 10th anniversary this year and 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. Supporting Youthful Minds, part of Mind Jersey, is a natural fit for Crestbridge FOS, with the firm having a clear focus on providing services for client families while also placing a significant emphasis on the wellbeing of its own people.

Commenting on his achievement, Fabio said:

“This was a physically, mentally and emotionally challenging event but knowing I was running for such a worthwhile cause in Youthful Minds kept me going even when self-doubt was creeping in. Having my five-year-old son to cheer me on also helped and I was delighted to have crossed the finish line while raising funds and awareness for a charity close to my heart.”

Heather Tibbo, CEO, Crestbridge FOS, added:

“This is an impressive challenge and a significant personal achievement for Fabio and I congratulate him on this fantastic success. He has pushed himself to the limit in order to raise funds for our nominated local charity. The work Youthful Minds does in supporting young people in our community is crucial and aligns with our own company values of placing our people, our clients and their families at the heart of what we do.”

Anyone wishing to donate can still do so here.

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.”