Hospitality businesses in Bath and Bristol unite to raise vital funds for Walk for Wellbeing event

Marking its fifth and biggest year to date, and launched on World Mental Health Day, Walk for Wellbeing has raised a remarkable £135,000, making it the charity’s largest annual mass participation fundraiser.

Beyond raising vital funds, this national movement is about emphasising the importance of prioritising one’s own mental health and wellbeing whilst also looking out for that of colleagues.

At present, the leading cause of anxiety in the UK is financial worry and debt. Since the start of 2024, Hospitality Action has experienced record high calls to their helplines and grant applications, with the majority citing debt as the biggest trigger of anxiety leading to feelings of hopelessness and mental health issues. Every penny raised will directly benefit hospitality employees and their families facing challenging times.

Created and powered by hospitality talent and recruitment partner mum, in partnership with Caterer.com, Imperial London Hotels, Lifetime Training, Mews and Peoplebank, individuals and teams from across the industry joined hosted 20km walks on Sunday, October 13 in nine UK cities including London, Oxford, Bath/Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow for this enjoyable and flexible event.

In addition, hundreds of people chose to ‘Walk It Your Way’ between World Mental Health Day on October 10 and 27, raising even more awareness and vital funds for this worthy cause. From walking 10km in a nature reserve or along a local beach with friends and family, to holding walking meetings and team walkabouts, participants came up with a variety of ways to get involved and play their part in supporting the vital work of Hospitality Action.

A special highlight this year was a record set by Hospitality Action Ambassador Charlie Hodson, who walked an impressive 155 miles from Norwich to London, raising £3,000 for the charity.

Lorraine Jarvie, General Manager of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, said: “Witnessing first-hand just how fulfilling being involved in Walk for Wellbeing is for every participant is one of the most rewarding aspects. We have proudly hosted the walk from Royal Cresent for the past two years, and a standout moment this year was when passersby stopped to ask about the cause, with some even donating on the day. The buzz at the start was electric, and it was great to connect with peers while supporting such a worthy cause. We are already excited for next year!”

Mark Lewis, CEO of Hospitality Action said, “Walking 20km in one go is not to be underestimated, so the fact that so many signed up to this rapidly growing national movement is testament to the importance of giving back. But this incredible event goes way beyond that. It’s also about prioritising one’s own mental health and wellbeing whilst also feeling part of a supportive and united team where open dialogue is actively encouraged.

“Hospitality Action provides as much support as possible to our colleagues, but we can’t do it alone. Support must also come from within the hospitality organisations in which our people work. By working and walking together, we will really make a lasting, positive difference.”

The sixth annual Walk for Wellbeing will take place next October, with hosted walks planned for Sunday, October 19, 2025 in cities across the UK. For more information, please email [email protected].