The Big Fun-Raiser
Get ready for our BIGGEST Fun‑raiser ever! M&S colleagues across the UK are going BIG and having FUN to support young people’s mental health.
Together, we’ve got this
Overall distance
30,631km
Overall raised
£115,452
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13 Jun | 6:11AMLEJOG - Day 8: Pitlochry to Inverness 🥶
Relentless rain. Freezing cold. Tough miles. The team are really being challenged on the road to Inverness, with shaking hands and even worn-out brakes showing just how hard the day has been.
But through it all, moments of support and a powerful reminder of the “why” are keeping the riders pushing on, proving that even the toughest days can still carry something really special 💛
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11 Jun | 3:00PMLEJOG - Day 7: Livingston to Pitlochry 🌨️
Beautiful scenery and bagpipes made yesterday feel unforgettable 🌄🏴 with incredible views and a standout welcome into Perth that lifted everyone’s spirits!
However, this “short” ride still packed a punch with brutal weather conditions 😬. As Nick explains, it's the energy from M&S colleagues that’s keeping the riders digging deep and pushing towards the finish 💪 -
10 Jun | 4:00PMLEJOG - Day 6: Carlisle to Livingston 🏴
They faced everything Scotland could throw at them ❄️🌧️- thunderstorms, relentless rain, hail and even snow - but kept pushing mile by mile through one of the toughest days yet🚴♂️
Crossing the finish line after 95 brutal miles felt like a true moment of joy, with a warm Livingston welcome, incredible support and the milestone of 600 miles reminding them just how far they’ve come ❤️#TogetherWeveGotThis
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9 Jun | 2:30PMLEJOG - Day 5: Wigan to Carlisle - HALF WAY! 🔔
A soggy and slow start out of Wigan, then Preston brought the party - complete with tunes, coffee and shortbread masterpieces 🎶☕🍪 ...and the energy came roaring back!
With sunshine over the Lakes and lunch at Kendal, followed by climb up Shap Pass, they pushed through the longest day yet with lots of support to keep them going 💛
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8 Jun | 3:00PMLEJOG - Day 4: Ludlow to Wigan 🌤️
After a well-earned rest from the hills, the team rolled out of Ludlow with lighter legs and even lighter moods🚴♂️, powered by sunshine (mostly), cheering colleagues and a much-loved Nantwich pit stop.
With smiles back, family on the sidelines ❤️ and just a cheeky splash of rain at the finish, it was a day that reminded them exactly why they’re doing it—and gave everyone that extra boost to keep pushing on 💪
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7 Jun | 3:00PMLEJOG - Day 3: Weston-Super-Mare to Ludlow 🌧️
It was a deceptively bright start then the M&S riders were swiftly hit with a tough weather day! Powering through 170km with rain, punctures and sheer determination across Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Severn Bridge, riding into Wales. 🏴
Despite the soggy socks and tired legs by the time they rolled into Ludlow, spirits stayed high thanks to incredible team support, roadside cheers (and snacks on tap), and those special moments that make it all worthwhile.
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6 Jun | 4:00PMLEJOG - Day 2 highlight: A surprise at Taunton! 🫶
Craig, Jo and Luke from Taunton store connected with their team across the region to deliver an amazing surprise today - presenting Simon B with a donation of £3,025 for YoungMinds 😮
It is truly amazing what can be achieved with team work - what an incredible way to support the Big Fun-raiser
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6 Jun | 10:45AMLEJOG - Day 2: Trigadillet - Weston-Super-Mare ⛰️
Braced for even more hills, the M&S riders pedalled their way through Cornwall and into the South West - cheered on by the incredible Tiverton and Taunton teams!
Taunton had a BIG surprise in store for Simon Bonner, presenting him with an incredible donation for the team to support YoungMinds 🙌
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5 Jun | 3:00PMLEJOG - Day 1 highlight: Truro Lemon Quay leading the cheer! 🙌
With Cornish flags flying, the riders (including Truro's very own Simon Bonner) were given a warm welcome, a pit stop, and a brilliant send-off from the team 🎉🎶🕺
Such a great atmosphere - thank you to John Haymes, Megan Blenkinsop, Julie Rose and the whole Truro Lemon Quay team for bringing the energy and helping power our riders through those hills 💛
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4 Jun | 5:30PMLEJOG - Day 1: Land's End to Tregadillet 🚴
The team completed the first stage of their journey, facing the hills and the miles from Land's End up to Tregadillet.
A team highlight was getting to visit M&S Truro Lemon Quay who created an amazing atmosphere for the riders! Cornish flags waving proudly and so many colleagues out to cheer on the team, giving them a much needed boost in the rainy weather 💛
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4 Jun | 5:00PM📢 They're on their way! 🚴
Our team of 18 M&S cyclists have set off from Land’s End, starting their 10-day journey all the way to John O’Groats. Over the next 10 days they’ll be covering miles, climbing hills and pushing through every moment - all to raise vital funds and awareness for young people’s mental health with YoungMinds.
On your Marks!
This year, we’re doing something different. From 4th – 13th June, a team of M&S colleagues will be taking on the Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle challenge all with the aim to raise vital funds for the charity YoungMinds!
Over 10 days, the team will cycle more than 900 miles, visiting M&S stores across the nation and raising awareness of YoungMinds’ mission to stop young people’s mental health reaching crisis point.
The Big Fun-raiser
The Big Fun-raiser returns in June 2026 as M&S challenge team riders take on a 900+ mile cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, while colleagues nationwide get involved too, choosing any activity they love – from walking, running, cycling, swimming and more – …to raise funds for YoungMinds and show the power of colleagues coming together so no young person feels alone with their mental health.
How to get Involved
M&S colleagues are the beating heart of The Big Fun-raiser. It is through your hard work that we have raised over £5.5m for YoungMinds so far, and here’s your opportunity to do even more to support young people’s mental health.
This year, we are inviting all colleagues to get involved and track your activities during the 4-13 June, whether you’re taking big steps, aiming to be the next star sprinter, or hiking some of the nation’s great peaks to see collectively the distance we can travel and the funds we can raise because when we all work together, we can make a big difference.
Sign up to take part in this year’s Big Fun-raiser. #Togetherwevegotthis
Get in Touch
If you need help signing up, please send a message to thebigfunraiser@marks-and-spencer.com.
The partnership
Launched in 2023, M&S and YoungMinds partnered to make a difference for young people’s mental health.
YoungMinds are the UK’s leading youth mental health charity, providing vital support to young people and equipping the adults in their lives with the tools they need to help.
Your efforts have already helped us smash our £5m targetfor YoungMinds. With your support, M&S aims to raise a further £1.5m - that amount could fund YoungMinds’ services for parents and carers for a whole year!
