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Hundreds has been raised for the charity Lacking Individuals after a gaggle of hardy fundraisers trekked throughout the Isle of Wight.
Annually, Metro employees and readers tackle a mammoth hike alongside charity staff and supporters as a part of our annual Lifeline marketing campaign.
Lacking Individuals, which helps the family members of those that have vanished, was our chosen charity for 2025.
Within the lead-up to this 12 months’s Lifeline problem, Metro spoke with the households of Matt Bone, Damien Nettles and Luke Durbin in regards to the assist they’d acquired. We additionally had been informed the story of Jade Knight, who went lacking 50 occasions as a young person. As a rule, Lacking Individuals was described as a “lifeline” throughout folks’s darkest days.
The Lifeline problem
This 12 months’s occasion befell on Saturday Might 4th, with the solar shining over the start line in Chale, a small village close to the city of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
Fundraisers warmed as much as I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers earlier than the primary wave of walkers crossed the beginning line at 7.30am.
A sea of pink t-shirts, vest tops and hats ensured the Lacking Individuals Lifeline workforce stood out as over 1,700 Extremely Problem individuals made their manner alongside the clifftops.
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Cheerleading got here in lots of types throughout the trek.
Native folks shows indicators of encouragement exterior their houses; guests to the island raised their drinks in solidarity as fundraisers made their well beyond beer gardens, whereas shouts of ‘good luck’ got here from youngsters by way of automobile home windows.
Whereas the sunshine was welcome, sizzling temperatures took their toll, particularly at 17km when a steep hill close to to Freshwater Bay left some already weary walkers exhausted.
After a gradual stroll previous the Tennyson Monument and a courtesy look in the direction of the Isle of Wight’s iconic Needles, trekkers descended to the 26km level on the route by early afternoon. Thismarked the end line for some, whereas different walkers tended to dodgy knees, empty stomachs and cussed blisters earlier than carrying on by way of picturesque forests, beachfronts and cities.
Because the solar set, the following batch of Lifeline walkers made it to the 53km level at 8pm and celebrated the tip to an epic problem.
This 12 months's Metro Lifeline problem
Somebody is reported lacking each 90 seconds within the UK. Which means life is lonely, scary and unsure for 170,000 households yearly.
Lacking Individuals is the one UK charity devoted to reconnecting them and their family members and that's why this 12 months Metro is proudly supporting them for our 2025 Lifeline marketing campaign.
In addition to elevating consciousness by way of articles and sharing tales of these impacted, we’re additionally taking up a 52-106km hike on the gorgeous Isle of Wight to assist elevate very important funds for the charity.
Simply £12 buys one hour of helpline assist at Lacking Individuals, which might assist save somebody in disaster.
To make a donation, please click on right here.
For our intrepid group taking up the 106km distance over two days, which included Lacking Individuals CEO Jo Youle, there was time for supper and some hours sleep earlier than a vivid and early begin on Sunday to tackle one other gruelling 53km.
Reflecting on the problem Jo stated each pound raised can be ‘very important’.
She informed Metro: ‘From the cliff tops to strolling alongside the seafront we had been all strolling in solidarity with folks lacking family members – elevating consciousness and very important funds.
‘Thanks to each single walker and supporter – and to the Metro for strolling and championing the trigger each step of the best way.’
Very important assist
By the eve of the Isle of Wight problem, the Lifeline workforce had raised a formidable £24,000. Because the stroll started the following morning and footage and movies had been shared to social media, donations rolled in and our present complete now sits at simply over £33,000, together with Present Support.
This 12 months’s Lifeline trek was really magical,’ stated Metro Deputy Editor Claie Wilson. ‘On the day, Metro employees and readers joined forces with the workforce from Lacking Individuals and among the households they’ve supported over time, which made this occasion all of the extra poignant.
‘There’s little doubt it was arduous work – and I don’t assume anybody obtained away blister-free – nevertheless it was so, so price it. That is what our Lifeline marketing campaign is all about, elevating consciousness and cash. I’m so proud we obtained to do it for Lacking Individuals this 12 months, as they’re such an excellent charity to assist.’
The funds raised on this 12 months’s Lifeline problem will assist Lacking Individuals’s helpline, assist staff and counselling service. Workers who present this assist beforehand informed Metro of the very important distinction it could make.
Listed here are some examples of how the cash raised might be used:
– £5 might ship life saving messages
– £11 might reply a Helpline name
– £33 might give three households a reassuring name from a Assist Employee once they want it essentially the most.