To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, Jason Berry, co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) and group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance, will be walking – and talking – from Birmingham to London.

Berry (pictured) will be joined this year by Dev Malle, chief business development officer at Simplify and the six-day journey will cover the entire length of the Grand Union Canal, starting in Digbeth, on Sunday 11 May, and ending in London Victoria on Friday 16 May at a celebratory reception sponsored by Landbay.

The event aims to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations about mental health and wellbeing in the mortgage sector, encouraging open discussions while embracing the benefits of exercise and social connection.

This year, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘community’. Berry and Malle will therefore be joined each day by individual ‘leggers’ who compose of various members of the mortgage industry community. Malle and Berry will cover an average of 23 miles each day.

Signatory members of MIMHC and other supporters are invited to register their interest and walk alongside them for any leg of the journey or participate remotely by engaging in physical activity during the same week.

Berry said: “Walking has been an incredible outlet for me, both physically and mentally. It’s a chance to clear my mind, reflect on the day, and connect with nature. Walking is known to enhance mood, reduce stress and improve sleep quality.

“I’m thrilled to be walking during this important week and invite everyone to join me on this journey towards better mental health.”

Those interested in joining Berry and Malle on the Walk and Talk 2025 are invited to register their details on the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter website.