Leyland SDM prepares for charity challenge

Leyland SDM’s team of more than 20 colleagues are preparing to trek 15 miles to raise money for London’s child poverty charity.

The team from Leyland SDM will walk from Mile End to Kingston upon Thames on November 19 to support The Childhood Trust.

Cliff Rendell, people director at Leyland SDM, said: “Charity and fundraising is a key part of our ethos and we’re proud to have raised more than £120,000 for good causes over the last four years.

“We really admire The Childhood Trust and wanted to support them, particularly as their valuable work takes place in London, which is where all 33 of our stores are located.

“It’s a long way to walk but we’re all up for the challenge and looking forward to it. It’ll be a new way for us to see the capital while raising vital funds, and we look forward to visiting a number of our stores along the way.”

The Childhood Trust is London’s leading child poverty charity. London is one of the richest cities in the world but the charity says 700,000 children in London live in poverty, the majority of whom are from working families.

Laurence Guinness, chief executive of The Childhood Trust, commented: “Poverty can have devastating effects on children’s health and development.

“Our most recent research found that the equivalent of 40% of London children are regularly missing meals and going hungry due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“With growing numbers of children falling into poverty we must do all we can to provide support. A huge thanks to the team at Leyland SDM for getting involved by fundraising through this walking challenge across the capital. We’ll be following their progress every step of the way.”