Self-isolation and unemployment due to the Coronavirus outbreak means many have gone without eating in the past three weeks.
Research carried out by the Food Foundation shows stark drops in income have pushed many families into poverty with 3 million people going without meals since the lockdown.
In order to help, Ollie and Lucy from the SWW Marketing team have set themselves a challenge to each run 100km over 10 days to raise money for the Trussell Trust running roughly 10km a day each during their daily exercise allowance.
Starting from Tuesday 14th April and finishing on April 23, they hope to raise £500 to support the charity which supports the nationwide network of food banks that together provides emergency food and support people locked in poverty across the UK.
Ollie, director, said: “These figures were shocking. With many not even able to access one decent meal a day during this crisis, we want to do our bit by raising as much as possible for The Trussell Trust who do amazing work across the UK.
“Food banks are unfortunately needed throughout the UK even when we aren't facing a global pandemic and now even more during these unprecedented times we must help those who need it.”
Last year, The Trussell Trust provided more than 1.6 million emergency food parcels to people in crisis. More than half a million of these went to children. As a nation, no one should be left hungry or destitute but illness, disability, family breakdown or the loss of a job can happen to any of us. With your help #ThisCanChange.
In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty, including 4.5 million children. The Trussell Trust support more than 1,200 food banks in the UK to provide a minimum of three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food to people who have been referred to them in crisis, as well as support to help people resolve the crises they face.
You can find out more about their amazing work here >>
Please donate anything you can to help the millions who are struggling to eat.
You can donate little or large here >> and every little help!
We'll update you daily on our progress!
Day one - Tuesday 14th April
Lucy and Ollie complete their first runs - with Ollie running 11.28km and Lucy running 11.68km
Another day and more miles covered by Lucy and Ollie! With Ollie running 11.27km again and Lucy edging in front with 12.06km!
Day three - Thursday 16th April
The legs are starting to feel it a bit now! But with 90% of the money raised we are even more motivated to smash this challenge! 3 million people have not had a meal since the lock down - this should not be happening so hopefully this challenge and raising money will help in some small way.
Day four - Friday 17th April
Nearly half way there and with the fundraising target smashed - Lucy and Ollie are feeling good despite some heavy legs!
Day five - Saturday 18th April - half way!!
Lucy and Ollie are over half way to each running 100km!!
Day six - Sunday 19th April
Lucy and Ollie power past half way and have now raised an impressive £815 for the Trussell Trust - which is £315 over their target - thank you to everyone who has donated! It's an amazing charity who there for people when they need it most.
Day seven - Monday 20th April
Lucy and Ollie have now completed nearly 80km so a day ahead of schedule which is amazing! The end is in sight!
Day eight - Tuesday 21st April
The finish line is in site! Lucy and Ollie have under 10km to go and are a day ahead of their schedule!
Day nine - Wednesday 22nd April - FINAL DAY!
Lucy and Ollie completed it! They finished 100km in just 9 days - one day ahead of schedule! They are also currently on £885 so 77% over their original target of £500 for The Trussell Trust. Ollie says "it feels amazing to have finished it - the last two days were hard but knowing how much we have raised so far and what amazing work The Trussell Trust do especially in these difficult times was a huge motivator - thank you to everyone who donated - we really appreciate it!"
