Seven colleagues from Yorkshire Building Society's Mortgage Advice Team have taken an extraordinary endurance challenge in support of Yorkshire Building Society's partnership with Felix (formerly known as Fareshare and The Felix Project).
From 6am on Wednesday 30 September, the colleagues worked together to collectively complete a 198km treadmill ultramarathon in under 10 hours at the Society’s Bradford headquarters. The distance ran is equivalent to travelling from Yorkshire Building Society's head office on Yorkshire Drive in Bradford to its Peterborough office. So far the challenge has raised over £1,000 for Felix.
The challenge forms part of the Society's ongoing partnership with Felix, who are the UK’s leading food rescue charity. It works with supermarkets, restaurants, wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers to rescue, repurpose, and share surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. Through a network of 16 regional partners it supplies food to over 8,000 charities and community organisations across the United Kingdom.
The partnership funds the Building Skills for the Future programme across locations including Yorkshire, Merseyside, London, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Participants gain work experience, qualifications and support with CV writing and interview preparation. It also funds outreach sessions designed to improve financial wellbeing and build confidence in navigating the job market.
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues have a proud history of supporting the partnership through ambitious fundraising activities. Previous challenges have included the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the Ilkley Cow and Calf Zipline Challenge and an overnight climb of Snowdon.
Samuel Gee, a mortgage advisor at Yorkshire Building Society, said: "We wanted to take on a challenge that would really push us while supporting a cause that makes a difference in communities across the country."
"The distance was daunting, but knowing we're helping raise money for Felix kept us motivated throughout the day. Every pound raised go towards the Building Skills for the Future programme, helping people in communities up and down the country improve their employability prospects."
Gareth Batty, director of network at Felix, said: “Our employability programmes help people who may be vulnerable take positive steps into stable, sustainable work—tackling one of the root causes of poverty. The support we provide helps individuals recognise their strengths, overcome barriers and seize opportunities that can transform their future.
“Our partnership with Yorkshire Building Society is crucial in expanding this work, enabling us to help thousands more people while strengthening our ability to get good surplus food to communities that need it.”
