In 2020, Metro organised a sponsored 26-mile challenge across London, exploring ten of the city’s hidden ‘peaks’ to raise money for The Hygiene Bank. The charity coordinates donations and distribution of much needed hygiene products such as shower gel, nappies and toothpaste, to families and individuals in desperate need. According to The Hygiene Bank, long before someone goes to a food bank they stop buying toiletries.
On Saturday 19th September during National Hygiene Week, over 50 people, including celebrity supporters Charlie Webster, Vicky Pattison and Meg Mathews, spent the day taking on 10 of London’s hidden peaks, organised by Charity Challenge. Before the day of challenge, Metro’s ‘Lifeline’ had raised more than £38,000 and by the end of the campaign the fundraising topped £60k.
Following the success of the 2020 London hidden peaks challenge, Metro relaunched the campaign in 2021 supporting Medical Detection Dogs, and again in 2022 supported PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide by heading to the Lake District to climb England’s Highest Mountain.
Moved by the stories we shared of people affected by hygiene poverty and the amazing work the charity and its volunteers carry out, Metro.co.uk readers not only dug deep to donate to The Hygiene Bank, some also joined us on a 26-mile fundraising walk.There were blisters galore by the end, but it was more than worth it as our final fundraising tally has just come in and we have raised a whopping £62,561!
Metro.co.uk, features director, Claie Wilson
