Hospitality rallies in support of Walk for Wellbeing event

More than 1,000 people from across the hospitality industry united this October to Walk for Wellbeing, an event conducted in support of the UK charity Hospitality Action. 

Marking its fifth and biggest year to date and launched on World Mental Health Day (10 October), the event raised a total of £135,000, making it the charity's largest annual mass participation fundraiser. 

Beyond raising vital funds, the movement is about prioritising mental health and wellbeing throughout the hospitality industry. At present, the leading cause of anxiety in the UK is financial debt and worry.

Since the start of 2024, Hospitality Action has experienced record-high calls to their 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 for Hospitality Action will directly benefit hospitality employees and their families facing challenging times.

Walk for Wellbeing

On Sunday, 13 October, teams from across the industry took part in 20km organised walks across nine UK cities, including London, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow. 

Hundreds of people also chose to 'Walk It Your Way' between World Mental Health Day on 10 October and 27 October. From walking 10km in a nature reserve or along a local beach with family and friends, to holding walking meetings and team walkabouts, participants came up with their own ways of getting involved in support of the charity. A highlight this year was a record set by Hospitality Action ambassador Charlie Hodson, who walked 155 miles from Norwich to London and raised £3,000.

Craig Prentice, creator of Walk for Wellbeing, comments: "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."

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