Over 1,000 individuals from various sectors of the hospitality industry took part in the campaign this October, in support of UK charity Hospitality Action.
The event, now in its fifth year, was launched on World Mental Health Day.
The Walk for Wellbeing initiative has raised £135,000, making it the charity’s biggest annual mass participation fundraiser.
The focus is not only on fundraising but also on emphasizing the importance of mental health and well-being.
Currently, the main cause of anxiety in the UK is financial concerns and debt.
Since the beginning of 2024, Hospitality Action has seen a rise in calls to its helplines and grant applications, with many mentioning debt as the primary source of anxiety leading to mental health issues.
The funds collected will directly assist hospitality workers and their families going through tough times.
The event was organized and managed by hospitality talent and recruitment partner mum, in collaboration with Caterer.com, Imperial London Hotels, Lifetime Training, Mews, and Peoplebank.
Individuals from all sectors participated in 20km walks on Sunday, October 13 in nine UK cities, including Manchester.
The Manchester walk, hosted by The Manchester Hoteliers Association, began at the Trafford Watersports Centre, following a waterside route that included two water parks, the river Mersey, and parts of the Trans Pennine trail.
Additionally, hundreds of people opted to ‘Walk It Your Way’ between World Mental Health Day on October 10, and October 27.
Participants found various ways to join in, from walking 10km in a nature reserve or along a local beach with friends and family, to organizing walking meetings and team walkabouts.
A notable highlight this year was the achievement of Hospitality Action Ambassador Charlie Hodson, who walked 155 miles from Norwich to London, raising £3,000 for the charity.
Matt Townley, chair of The Manchester Hoteliers Association, stated: “It was great to see such strong support for Manchester’s walk once again this year, and heartening to see returning participants guiding and supporting new walkers, creating a welcoming atmosphere that truly embodies the spirit of the event.
“The sense of community fostered through this walk is remarkable, with everyone coming together not only for their own well-being, but to raise crucial funds for such a deserving cause.”
Mark Lewis, CEO of Hospitality Action, remarked: “Walking 20km in one go is no small feat, so the fact that so many registered for this rapidly growing national movement demonstrates the importance of giving back.
“But this exceptional event goes beyond that.
“It’s also about prioritizing one’s own mental health and well-being while feeling part of a supportive and unified team where open communication is actively encouraged.”
The sixth annual Walk for Wellbeing is scheduled for next October, with organized walks planned for Sunday, October 19, 2025.