Witham's Higher House Project raises £11k for Combat Stress

Paul Scott, 42, and Lauren Sayer, 18, are the co-founders of the Higher House Project, and have successfully raised £11,100 in aid of Combat Stress.

The Higher House Project celebrates house music by putting on events in Witham and beyond, while also showcasing talented DJs.

On March 30, Paul, a former soldier who served in the Royal Corps of Signals, and 22 other participants took on a 10-mile walk from Tiptree Heath to Witham.

Hard work - during the walk (Image: Lauren Sayer)

Amazing work - the group after the 10-mile walk (Image: Lauren Sayer)

The three groups which set out at staggered times from 11.45am, 12noon, and 12.15pm, all trekked to the finishing line at the Railway Pub, in Chipping Hill, at around 3pm.

All participants carried a 15kg pack for the Combat Stress March in March challenge, which signifies the weight soldiers bring back mentally from deployment.

The charity provides life-changing mental health treatment for veterans and helps former servicemen and women with issues such as PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Paul said: “The challenge was tough. It was a good laugh - it was nice to see all the support once we got back to the Railway.

Team - the Higher House Project co-founders, Lauren Sayer, and Paul Scott at the party following the walk (Image: Lauren Sayer)

Party - The Railway Pub after the charity walk (Image: Lauren Sayer)

“Every time you plan to do one of these things, you learn from it.

“We’re over the moon with people’s generosity. We were pleased to raise so much money for a good cause.

“I’d like to thank Sylvia Davidson from the Railway for hosting, and the support teams that Lauren, my daughter Chloe Blackmore and Paul Cooper organised.

“For such a little town like Witham and 23 guys and girls, it was a massive achievement.”

Paul said Higher House raised the largest single amount of money of all the teams that took part in the March in March campaign across the UK.

Information - the Higher House Project's poster for its next event (Image: Lauren Sayer)

Lauren was also delighted with the amount of money raised.

She said: “It is amazing. We did not expect it. I am so grateful.

"Our initial goal was £1,000, and we kept putting it up.

“It was a massive success, and we’ll definitely consider doing the March in March next year as well.”

The Higher House Project is hosting an event at the George, in Newland Street, on May 11 to celebrate its first birthday as an organisation.