Wetherby colleagues step up for charity with Land's End to John o' Groats challenge

Throughout August, seven colleagues from the branch are aiming to collectively walk the equivalent distance from Land's End to John o' Groats, covering an impressive 874 miles.

Team members will track their steps using smart devices as they walk in their local communities, working together to reach the target and raise funds for The Felix Project & FareShare. 

Fareshare is the UK’s leading food redistribution charity. It's recently merged with The Felix Project to form a bigger and more ambitious organisation with greater national impact.

Through a network of regional partners, it redirects good quality food that would go to waste to over 8,000 local charities and community groups. These organisations not only provide food to those in need but also offer a range of essential support services, including helping people tackle the root causes of unemployment.  

Yorkshire Building Society is partnering with The Felix Project & Fareshare until Autumn 2026 to fund Building Skills for the Future, an employability programme helping people move out of financial hardship. So far, almost 2,300 people have benefited from the initiative.  

The Wetherby branch team aims to raise more than £500 which will go towards the Building Skills for the Future programme.

Richard Pioro, customer consultant at the Wetherby branch of Yorkshire Building Society said: "Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far. Your generosity will help The Felix Project & FareShare continue its vital work through the Building Skills for the Future programme, which has a lifechanging impact on the people it supports. 

"Our team wanted to set ourselves a challenge that everyone could get involved in, and we're excited to be attempting the equivalent walk from Land's End to John o' Groats during August. By tracking our steps and miles on our smart devices, we're hoping to reach our 874-mile target and raise as much money as possible for this fantastic cause. Our initial goal is £500, but we'd love to exceed that." 

Gareth Batty, Director of Network at The Felix Project & Fareshare, 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.” 

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. 

Together, these programmes aim to help 2,500 people improve their employability and become more financially resilient. People wishing to support the Wetherby team's fundraising can donate in-branch. For more information about the partnership, visit www.ybs.co.uk/FareShare.