Watch highlights from this year's Great Walk and hear from some of the colleagues and charity partners behind the initiative.
How the Great Walk works
Since 2018, employees across Unilever UK have taken part in the Great Walk, choosing from 10km, half-marathon and full-marathon routes to raise funds. This year, participants set off from Blackfriars and finished at Sunlight House, our new UK and Ireland headquarters in Kingston upon Thames.
Marc Woodward, Head of Unilever UK, said: “The Great Walk has become a brilliant platform for our business to come together, connect with colleagues and raise money for incredible local charities that make a real difference in people’s lives.
"Reaching more than £400,000 is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the generosity, energy and community spirit of everyone who has taken part over the years.”
Creating lasting impact
Employees continue to shape the programme by nominating charities that have had a meaningful impact on their own lives or that of their local communities. Over the past eight years, Great Walk fundraising has supported charities working in healthcare, bereavement support, emergency response and community wellbeing.
One of this year’s charities is Princess Alice Hospice, which provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care, as well as support for families and carers across Surrey, Southwest London and Middlesex. The charity was put forward by Home Care Category Strategy Planner Suzy Ford, in recognition of the care they provided to her father.
Suzy said: “Last year, my father received palliative care from Princess Alice Hospice following his battle with prostate cancer. The support they provided our family was incredible. I was delighted to have the opportunity nominate the charity for the Great Walk and was so pleased when it was selected. Having that personal connection made the Great Walk really special for me."
Princess Alice Hospice said: “Support from initiatives like the Great Walk makes a real difference to the people and families we care for. It helps us continue providing specialist care and support to those who need it most.
"We are incredibly grateful to Unilever colleagues for choosing to walk, fundraise and stand alongside their local communities.”
Frequently asked questions
What is the Unilever Great Walk?
The Great Walk is Unilever UK's flagship employee fundraising event. Since 2018, Unilever employees have completed sponsored 10km, half-marathon and full-marathon walks to raise money for nominated UK charities. The Unilever Great Walk brings colleagues together to support causes that have made a positive difference to local communities and the lives of colleagues and their families.
How much money has the Unilever Great Walk raised?
Since launching in 2018, the Great Walk has raised more than £400,000 for local charities across the UK, in areas such as healthcare, bereavement support, emergency response, community wellbeing and end-of-life care.
Which charities does the Unilever Great Walk support?
The Unilever Great Walk supports charities nominated by Unilever employees. Since the Great Walk started, the six charities supported include: LOORG, Live Life Give Life, SERV, Maggie's, Bags For Strife and Princess Alice Hospice.