It’s good to walk: Logistics UK workers raise over £1,000 for suicide prevention charity CALM

This autumn, Logistics UK workers laced up their walking boots for the business group’s annual series of charity walks – covering more than 500 miles between them and raising over £1,000 for suicide prevention charity CALM. The four walks held during September and October saw colleagues circumnavigate Bewl Water Reservoir in Kent; cross 11 bridges over the Thames in London; complete the Callander and Oban Railway Circular Walk in Scotland and circle the Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir in North Yorkshire.  

A total of 60 colleagues took part, raising funds to support Logistics UK’s charity partner and its work providing life-saving services and practical mental health support. Participants were kitted out in official walk T-shirts supplied by sponsor Soval Safety Jogger. 

Logistics UK’s Chief Executive Ben Fletcher said: “The practical help, resources and support services CALM provides can represent a lifeline for anyone who is struggling with the issues in life that can make us feel miserable. We are proud to be supporting CALM as our chosen charity this year and congratulate everyone who has taken part in one of the fundraising walks. 

“The work CALM does to raise awareness and provide support is aligned closely with Logistics UK’s THRIVE campaign, an initiative we launched earlier this year to raise awareness of the challenges logistics professionals can face, as well as providing a curated collection of resources on a range of topics that include sleep, nutrition and fitness.” 

So far, over £1,000 has been raised from the walks, which are part of Logistics UK’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme that allows employees to take two days of paid volunteering leave every year to support charitable and community initiatives. 

“In addition to raising money for a fantastic cause, the walks that have taken place have provided a great opportunity for colleagues across the business to come together, meet new people and enjoy time outdoors,” continued Mr Fletcher. “The conversations the walks have fostered have been an essential part of spotlighting the importance of mental health and wellbeing, which sits at the heart of CALM’s and THRIVE’s mission.” 

More information on THRIVE can be found here. 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk