By Gemma Hardy, Managing Director

This May, I’m taking on one of the most physically and emotionally demanding challenges of my life: the Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge. It’s a 100km walk along one of the UK’s most rugged and beautiful coastal routes, but for me, it’s about far more than the distance. I’ll be walking every step in memory of Jo, my best friend from school, who died by suicide ten years ago.

Jo was one of the driving forces behind my starting Fluency. She believed in me completely, more than I believed in myself at times. Her energy, ambition, and fierce encouragement were contagious. Pieces of Jo are built into this business and the way I lead it. I still think about what she’d say when I make big decisions.

Jo, and I were inseparable as teenagers. And now Jo is the missing link. It’s a loss that still hurts. I sometimes instinctively go to call her, even now. That kind of connection doesn’t just fade.

So, this challenge is personal. Deeply so. I wanted to do something that truly pushed me to mark the ten-year anniversary of losing her. And I’m not doing it alone.

I’m proud to be walking with my colleague Colin Leatham-Locke, our Head of Operations at Fluency, and his 71-year-old father, who was actually the driving force behind the idea. We’ll be walking 100km—10km for every year without Jo—to raise funds for Mind, a charity that supports people experiencing mental health challenges and works tirelessly to prevent suicide.

Over the years, I’ve done marathons and cycled from London to Paris to raise money for Mind. But this feels different. It’s a way of honouring Jo while making a real impact for others who may be struggling in silence. The work Mind does has never been more urgent or necessary.

We would love your support; whether that’s through a donation, sharing our story, or simply sending a message of encouragement. Every step we take is for Jo. Every pound we raise is for those who still need hope.

👉 Donate to the challenge here

Thank you for reading. And thank you for helping us keep Jo’s light alive.