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Ardonagh Specialty raise a marathon £26,000 in support of CALM

Last week, a team of 50 colleagues from Ardonagh Specialty in the UK took on the Thames Footpath Challenge in support of their charity of the year – Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

25 colleagues completed the full 42km (26miles) over nine hours, making their way from Hampton Court all the way to Southbank in the centre of London, whilst 25 further colleagues took on the half marathon distance of 21km (13miles) in 4.5 hours.

Together the team raised just over £26,000, including  £9,000 from ACT – enough to fund 2,131 potentially lifesaving calls on the CALM suicide prevention helpline.

Celebrating at the finish line on Southbank.

CALM is a suicide prevention charity on a mission to help people end their misery, not their lives. Ardonagh Specialty have been rallying behind the charity throughout 2024, and this was their biggest fundraising initiative yet.

What incredible news - thank you so much to Ardonagh Speciality and ACT. £26,000 is enough to fund 2,131 potentially lifesaving calls on our suicide prevention helpline. This is honestly a phenomenal achievement, and I can't thank you enough for all of your hard work in making this event happen!
Nicola Parkes, Corporate Fundraising Manager, CALM
Colleagues power through the 26 mile walk along the River Thames.
I’m proud of the team and what they have achieved. It’s an impressive feat for a fantastic cause and a brilliant example of the great things that can be achieved when we put our minds (and feet!) together. Well done to all that took part and thanks to ACT who have once again thrown their support behind our colleagues fund raising efforts.
Sarah Horler, Deputy CEO Price Forbes and Chair of Ardonagh Specialty’s Charitable Committee
The team had some British September sunshine as they walked in support of Specialty's Charity of the Year, CALM.

More about the challenge

The full marathon took place over a picturesque course, following the Thames Path from Hampton Court and trekking a marathon 26 miles to Millennium Bridge on Southbank in central London.

Meanwhile, the half marathon team joined at Chiswick. The journey took the team along the famous Thames River past historic green spaces, gardens and famous landmarks, such as the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, crossing several famous bridges, including Westminster Bridge.

Cheering each other on to complete the epic walk.

United Against Suicide – CALM

Each week, 125 lives in the UK are lost to suicide, and 75% of all suicides are male. CALM exists to change this.

CALM does it by provoking conversation, running life-saving services, and bringing people together so they reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don't die by suicide.

In 2023, CALM answered over 160,000 calls and webchats, equating to more than 3 million minutes of talking to people who need them. This achievement has only been possible thanks to the generosity of CALM's extraordinary supporters.

A huge well done to the team, raising a marathon £26,000 thanks to generous supporters and ACT!