Swansea-based kidney charity, the Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, has been overwhelmed by the support given to its latest fundraiser ‘Kilometres for Kidneys’, which has raised over £2,500 since it was introduced on World Kidney Day, March 11, 2021.
During the pandemic, the charity – like so many others in the sector – has had to adapt its methods of fundraising, due to the impact Covid has had on its usual income streams.
The Kilometres for Kidneys challenge invited participants to choose a distance and route, predetermined and measured by the Paul Popham Fund, and to walk or run the equivalent of that route over a one-month period within their local area – adhering to the Covid lockdown regulations that were in place at the time.
The routes varied from ‘easy’, e.g., the average distance a premier league football player covers in a match (10.5km), to ‘very hard’, for example, the distance from St. David’s Cathedral to Chepstow Castle (215km).
The charity was overwhelmed that 96 people signed up to the challenge and between them covered a distance of 16,000 kilometres, raising over £2,500 in much-needed funds and, just as importantly for the charity, raising awareness of kidney disease within the community.
All money raised will go towards the Paul Popham Fund’s aim to raise £132,000 for the Children’s Kidney Centre, based at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
Joanne Popham, CEO of the Paul Popham Fund, Renal Support Wales, said:
“We were absolutely thrilled to see so many supporters get behind our new initiative ‘Kilometres for Kidneys’, walking varying distances in a month to support our largest fundraising campaign to date, the refurbishment of the Children’s Kidney Centre.
“The aim is always to raise awareness of kidney disease, our charity, and vital funds for a good cause! It was a very positive experience for all involved! We raised over £2,500 and we completed over 10,000 miles (16093.44 kms) which is a fantastic achievement.”
Geraint John, leader for the Walking for Health Group and ambassador at the Paul Popham Fund, said:
“It was so great to be part of the Kilometres for Kidneys challenge, with so many of those taking part offering support and encouragement along the way, and at the same time raising funds for the Paul Popham Fund. It was so enjoyable we’re all asking: when is the next challenge?”
