Danielle’s Epic New Year Challenge to raise money during cost of living crisis.
Danielle Thomas, 33, from St.Brides, has set herself a challenge to walk 2340 miles this year– the distance from Lands End to John O’Groats and back again- to raise money for Shelter Cymru.
Danielle, who works for Newport-based Monmouthshire Building Society chose to raise money for the Society’s Charity Partner, Shelter Cymru, after hearing about the work they do to help people in housing crisis.
She said: “At the end of last year I had the privilege of sitting in on a session that Shelter did for our branch managers, and I was immediately compelled to help. The work they do is essential and never more important than now, in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. I lived in a house provided by an association until the age of 11 and without it I’m not sure how my life would have turned out.
“With this in mind, I am setting myself my own challenge in aid of Shelter Cymru for 2023. Last year they helped over 16,547 people, averaging out at 45 people per day. So, my pledge is to do at least 45 minutes of walking a day and 45 miles a week for all of 2023, to raise funds to potentially help another 45 people every day for a year.”
Over the course of the year, Danielle will participate in 10 ‘ultra’ events, averaging at around 60 miles each time, to help her reach her target. She’ll update on her progress throughout the year on the Society’s website www.monbs.com.
Monmouthshire Building Society has been working with Shelter Cymru since 2019, last year alone raising over £12,000 for the charity.
Dawn Gunter, Chief Operating Officer at the Society said: “As a regional building society it’s essential to us that we continue to support our local communities, particularly in times of need.
“The Society has committed to a Charity Partnership with Shelter Cymru until 2026 and will continue to raise money through colleague volunteering and member donations, to help prevent the many people using its services from entering a housing crisis.”
If you would like to support Danielle in her journey and help raise money for Shelter Cymru visit the Just Giving page here: Monmouthshire Building Society is fundraising for Shelter Cymru (justgiving.com)
