The Fire Fighters Charity reaches £1,924 at halfway point of national challenge

A month-long charity campaign which aims to boost the nation’s health and wellbeing is now at its halfway point, with donations pouring in.

Over the past two weeks, the Blue Light Get Active Challenge has tasked individuals with clocking up as many miles or minutes of physical or mindfulness exercises as they can to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity, Police Care UK, The Ambulance Staff Charity and The Air Ambulance Service.

So far, The Fire Fighters Charity has raised £1,924.43 to support fire staff along with other front-line workers who have shown resilience and determination over the past year, keeping the nation safe during the current pandemic.

Leading emergency-service discount provider Blue Light Card and wellbeing organisation Get Active are supporting the challenge, offering a state-of-the-art app for participants to log their activities and see where they rank against others in a leader board. Everyone who takes part is encouraged to donate and fundraise for either a charity of their choice, or to have the funds split evenly between each of the four charities.

Commenting on the results so far, Louise Furneaux, Community, Corporate and Events Fundraiser at The Fire Fighters Charity, said: ‘We’re thrilled to have raised £1,924.43 at this point in the campaign. Every day brings with it new reports of members of the emergency services continuing to step up their efforts in the fight against this virus.

‘The support we will be able to offer to them with these funds is vital for their short- and long-term health and wellbeing, as well as their dependants at home who continue to be there for them. Thanks so much to everyone who has taken on a challenge, keep going!’

The overall running total raised by the four charities stands at £8,683.26.

Tom Dalby, CEO of Blue Light Card, said: ‘We are backing this campaign to support our front-line workers, who are always incredibly important to us but have been even more fearless and vital over the last year or so as Covid-19 has swept across the nation.

‘Seeing people get involved and take up the chance to get active and practise mindfulness, especially when the weather has been testing is great to see. And of course, seeing the donations come in to raise over £8,600 makes it extra special.

‘With two weeks left to go of the challenge, we are urging participants to keep going, and for those that haven’t signed up yet – there is still time to get involved and make yourself known on the leader board!’

The overall winner for the challenge will be crowned on 14 February.

For more information and to sign up to the Blue Light Get Active Challenge, visit: getactivechallenges.com/bluelight