As the festive season winds down, thoughts often turn to New Year's resolutions. For 2026, Metro is proposing a meaningful alternative to fleeting pledges: a spectacular fundraising trek through the breathtaking Cotswolds countryside in support of the Alzheimer's Society.
A Scenic Challenge for a Vital Cause
The centrepiece of Metro's 2026 Lifeline campaign is a major fundraising hike scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026. Organised in partnership with ultra event specialists Action Challenge, the event is designed to be inclusive, offering participants a choice of three distances: 25km, 50km, or 100km. This flexible approach ensures walkers of all abilities can take part in this summer challenge, with ample time to train and raise funds.
The route will showcase the very best of the Cotswolds, a region famed for its stunning vistas and recently designated as a National Landscape. Trekkers can expect awe-inspiring views of iconic honey-stone villages, rolling woodlands, and expansive grasslands. The journey will be based from the historic market town of Cirencester, easily accessible from London in under an hour by train.
Full Support on an Epic Journey
From the moment participants sign up, they will receive comprehensive support. Registration includes access to the Action Challenge app, providing training guides, practice walk options, interactive maps, and online forums. On the day itself, a robust support network will be in place:
- Fully serviced rest stops every 12.5 kilometres, with larger base camps every 25km.
- Facilities will include welfare tents, catering, professional massage services, and changing rooms.
- Participants will be fuelled by free snacks and drinks at each stop, with full meals available every 25km, catering to all dietary needs.
- An optional camping package is available, and a new GPS tracking system allows friends and family to follow progress in real time.
All finishers will be rewarded with a medal, a commemorative T-shirt, and a well-earned glass of fizz.
Combating the UK's Biggest Killer
The driving force behind the challenge is to raise crucial funds and awareness for the Alzheimer's Society. Dementia is the UK's biggest killer, currently affecting around one million people. Shockingly, a third of those living with dementia do not have a formal diagnosis, denying them access to vital support and treatment.
Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer's Society, stated: "We are delighted to be chosen as Metro's official charity partner... The Lifeline campaign will play a transformative role in illuminating the scale and impact of dementia in the UK. The funds raised will go directly to our support services and make an instrumental difference to thousands of lives."
Registration for the challenge starts from just £15, with fundraising minimums set at £150 for the 25km route, £225 for 50km, and £330 for the 100km trek. Whether taking part solo or as a team, every step taken will provide direct support to people navigating the daily realities of dementia.
