Blog. Walk for Wellbeing raises £135,000!
October 28, 2024 | Author: Giuliana Vittiglio
More than 1,000 people from across the hospitality industry united this October to Walk for Wellbeing and make a positive difference in support of HA. Marking its fifth and biggest year to date, and launched on World Mental Health Day, Walk for Wellbeing has raised a remarkable £135,000, making it our largest-ever mass participation fundraiser!
Beyond raising vital funds, this national movement is about emphasising the importance of prioritising one’s own mental health and wellbeing whilst also looking out for that of colleagues. At present, the leading cause of anxiety in the UK is financial worry and debt. Since the start of 2024, we have experienced record high calls to our helplines and grant applications, with the majority citing debt as the biggest trigger of anxiety leading to feelings of hopelessness and mental health issues. Every penny raised will directly benefit hospitality employees and their families facing challenging times.
Created and powered by hospitality talent and recruitment partner mum, in partnership with Caterer.com, Imperial London Hotels, Lifetime Training, Mews and Peoplebank, individuals and teams from across the industry joined hosted 20km walks on Sunday 13 October in nine UK cities including London, Oxford, Bath/Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow for this enjoyable and flexible event.
In addition, hundreds of people chose to ‘Walk It Your Way’ between World Mental Health Day on 10 October and 27 October, raising even more awareness and vital funds. From walking 10km in a nature reserve or along a local beach with friends and family, to holding walking meetings and team walkabouts, participants came up with a variety of ways to get involved and play their part in supporting our vital work. A special highlight this year was a record set by our Ambassador Charlie Hodson, who walked an impressive 155 miles from Norwich to London, raising £3,000!
Craig Prentice, creator of Walk for Wellbeing and Founder & Director of UK hospitality talent and recruitment partner mum, said:
“Walk for Wellbeing is all about doing what we can to look after ourselves, the people around us and those in the wider community. I’m blown away by the turnout and support we have received this year. Seeing hundreds of like-minded people come together for the greater good goes to prove what we have always known about our incredible industry: when it really counts, we’ve got each other’s backs.
“It’s amazing to think that in just five years, we’ve gone from a small group of twenty walkers to well over a thousand. I can’t wait to see what next October brings when the nation dons their walking shoes once again for Walk for Wellbeing 2025!”
Our CEO Mark Lewis said:
“Walking 20km in one go is not to be underestimated, so the fact that so many signed up to this rapidly growing national movement is testament to the importance of giving back. But this incredible event goes way beyond that. It’s also about prioritising one’s own mental health and wellbeing whilst feeling part of a supportive and united team where open dialogue is actively encouraged."
We are indebted to all those who made the 2024 Walk for Wellbeing possible, from sponsors to city hosts, volunteers, and to those who looked after our walkers by providing food and sustenance at the hosted walks. Special mention to South Place Hotel in London who catered for 400 hungry walkers and volunteers.
The sixth annual Walk for Wellbeing will take place next October, with hosted walks planned for Sunday 19 October 2025 in cities across the UK. For more information, please email fundraising@hospitalityaction.org.uk.