NFU Mutual staff in Scotland are all set to put in the miles to support Scottish foodbanks

The challenge – being held between December 1 and 21 – will see Mutual staff run, walk or cycle to contribute to the team goal of covering the distance between the insurer’s 32 agencies in Scotland – approximately 1600 miles. The team is aiming to raise £6000 and has already collected £3075. Donations close on December 11.

The final figure will be donated to foodbanks across the country, helping each centre to provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, feed those who have struggled considerably as a result of the pandemic and give something back on the lead up to Christmas.

The fundraising has been supported by an additional £250 donation from NFU Mutual’s Community Giving Fund, which was set up in 2005 to support causes that make important differences in the communities where its staff and agents live and work.

Regional manager in Scotland, Mark McBrearty, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support foodbanks across Scotland and hope our donations will help them to continue to provide their vital support at this challenging time.

“The pandemic has made it more difficult for us to run our usual fundraising activities, but we wanted to organise something that would both benefit our chosen charities and allow us to help employees to get out and about to support their mental and physical wellbeing. The uptake has been fantastic and it’s great to see the team come together to support such an important cause.”

NFU Mutual has been a long-standing supporter of foodbanks through its employee volunteering programme, where teams of colleagues have supported foodbank efforts across the year, as well as ‘Christmas Food Drive’ events.

During the pandemic, there has been a growing need for foodbank services across the UK, at a time when many foodbanks have been struggling to raise funds and keep going themselves. This year, NFU Mutual donated more than £120,000 to 44 foodbanks across the UK through its Agency Giving Fund. The NFU Mutual Agency Giving Fund was set up as part of a wider package of coronavirus support, allocating £1million to assist local frontline charities.