Ridgeway Ultra-marathon Raises £60,000 for Youth Helpline Get Connected

A team of 250 dedicated fundraisers took part in the UK's largest ultra-marathon over the weekend – a gruelling 100km trek along the historic Ridgeway in the Oxfordshire and Wiltshire countryside. A combination of stunning scenery, hardy supporters, thunderous weather and epic blisters has raised almost £60,000 for youth helpline charity Get Connected, who provide free, confidential support for under 25s across the UK.

The third annual Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones saw around 2,000 people walk, jog and run along Britain's oldest known path, testing themselves to their limit to raise money for charities close to their hearts. Funds raised for Get Connected will help to support over 300,000 vulnerable children and young people in the coming year.

Participant Den Fitzpatrick raised over £2,400 for Get Connected and says the whole experience was truly epic. Den says: "The event was perfect as I was looking for something to really push me out of my comfort zone – and it certainly did that! The last four months have been a rollercoaster - I've pushed myself further than ever before, and all while raising money for a great charity. Everyone has been so supportive – even my children have got involved, sorting the huge bags of coins I've collected through various raffles!"

This is the second time this epic challenge has supported Get Connected, long-term charity partner for Dixons Carphone. Kesah Trowell, Head of CSR at Dixons Carphone, says: "We're incredibly proud of all 250 colleagues taking part, especially the 12 colleagues who took up our 'Average to Awesome' challenge and were coached by leading international performance coach, Rory Coleman. They absolutely smashed their personal fitness targets of losing 12 stone in 12 weeks, as well as their fundraising targets to support Get Connected. Well done everyone!"

Team Get Connected were a sea of yellow t-shirts throughout the weekend, including Get Connected helpline volunteer Steph, who has raised over £2,200 for Get Connected and finished the whole route in just 14 hours and 53 minutes. Steph says: "I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this event! The Ridgeway is so beautiful, and I loved running though the corn fields. The support from Get Connected while fundraising and at the event is just amazing – everyone spurred me on to the finish line and I'm so grateful."

Genevieve Hinchliff, Fundraising and Events Officer at Get Connected, says: "Our amazing fundraisers make such a difference to the lives of lost and lonely young people all across the UK. We're incredibly grateful to all these wonderful people for putting so much work into training and fundraising. They ensure Get Connected is on hand to support children and young people in crisis, every day of the year."

For more information, visit www.getconnected.org.uk


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NOTES TO EDITORS: For more information or accompanying images please contact Catherine Sweet, Marketing & Communications Manager at Get Connected: 020 7009 2516 / catherine.sweet@getconnected.org.uk

• Get Connected is the UK's free, confidential and multi-issue helpline service for young people under 25 who need help, but don't know where to turn. We help young people find a path to a brighter future. Get Connected is registered charity number 1081840 and depends entirely on voluntary donations. Get Connected is a key partner of Child Helpline International, a global network of 192 child helplines in 145 countries.
• Get Connected help children and young people no matter where they are in the UK and no matter what the issue. Our service is available 365 days a year over the phone, via web chat, email or our free app. Our website also includes a searchable directory of support services, plus information, advice and guidance on mental and emotional wellbeing from our trusted partners.

Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones is supported by Threshold Sports. For more information about the event visit http://www.racetothestones.com/