Please note: a registration fee applies in order to be receive an ION t-shirt and London Nootropics coffee samples. Register at https://www.ion.ac.uk/Event/40k-in-40-days

Move More, Change Lives

We’re launching the 40k in 40 Days fundraising challenge to raise vital funds for student bursaries. Our goal is to give aspiring nutritional therapists the financial support they need to train at ION and make a real difference in people’s lives. By empowering more students to qualify, we can reach more communities, prevent disease through better nutrition, and improve long-term health outcomes across the UK.

At the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), we’re on a mission to improve the nation's health by training the next generation of nutritional therapists. With chronic health issues like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and mental health disorders on the rise, the need for qualified nutritional professionals has never been greater. Poor diet is now one of the leading contributors to preventable diseases — but with the right knowledge and support, we can change that.

How It Works

The challenge is simple — but powerful. You pledge to walk, run, cycle, swim, or take on any activity you love for 40 kilometres in 40 days. It’s a chance to boost your own health and wellbeing while raising funds that will help future students access ION’s professional training through bursaries and financial support.

Why It Matters

Your effort isn’t just about crossing the finish line — it’s about creating a ripple effect. Every kilometre you cover helps future nutritional therapists gain the skills and expertise to guide others toward healthier, more balanced lives. Through better nutrition, we can prevent disease, reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and empower people to take control of their health.

Transform Lives — Including Your Own

This challenge is about more than just raising money — it’s about movement, motivation, and making a real impact. As you get fitter, you’ll be helping to transform health outcomes for individuals and communities across the UK.

Awards

🏃💨 Lightning Legs Award

For the participant who completes the challenge in the shortest amount of time.

Sponsored by London Nootropics and Your Health Basket

💰🫂 The Nutritional Philanthropist

For the participant who raises the highest amount of funds.

Sponsored by Your Health Basket

🗺️📍 The Pathway to Wellness Award

For the participant who maps out the most interesting or fun route, e.g., spelling out words, drawing shapes on maps, unusual location, etc.

Sponsored by The Herbtender

📸🍎 The Snap & Snack Award

For the best photograph capturing the spirit of the challenge — think creativity, movement, and a nutritious post-workout snack! Show us your best shot!

Sponsor TBC

Get Started

Registration details

- The challenge takes place on JustGiving, a platform aimed at fundraising for charities.

- You will be able to create your own page on JustGiving to track the funds you’ve raised.

- A registration fee of £25 applies to all participants, and you commit to raising a minimum of £100.

- The first 150 participants to register will receive an ION t-shirt and London Nootropics coffee samples.

- There are four (4) awards to be won by participants.

- You can register at https://www.ion.ac.uk/Event/40k-in-40-days

Key facts

- The challenge commences on the 22 March 2025 and anyone can participate until 31 May 2025.

- Your personal challenge time starts on the day you register - that's when you start counting 40 days. The latest day to start in order to have 40 days available is 21 April 2025.

- JustGiving smoothly integrates with Strava, a social networking app you can use to track and record your activity, which will allow us to verify the correct completion of the challenge. You may also use your preferred fitness app and submit screenshots of your progress.

Resources

Apart from raising funds for nutrition training, we also wish for this challenge to encourage participants to move more in their daily lives, so we've put together a list of resources to make adding movement to your routine easy and fun.

20 tips to walk 20 minutes

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has put together a whopping list of 20 tips to help you fit 20 minutes of walking into your day. They've even created a check list for you to print and complete as you go!

Check it out at https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/national-walking-month/try20-tips/

Get running with Couch to 5K

The free NHS Couch to 5K programme (a classic!) makes it easier by guiding you from the couch to running 5km non-stop in just 9 weeks.

Our challenge requires an average of 1km to be completed per day, so by training to run 5km, you'd be completing two tasks!

Get running at https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/

10 Ways to Move More in Everyday Life

Many times exercise gets pushed at the bottom of our priority list and ends up completely disappearing from our routine.

Healthline have created a list of 10 ways to incorporate movement to everyday life, which is a great way to start getting those steps in creatively — wether this is by taking the stairs or adding some dancing to your day! You'll soon be smoothly sailing our challenge...

Start moving more at https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/10-ways-to-move-more

If you have any questions about this event, please contact a member of our friendly marketing team who will be happy to help. You can contact them by emailing marketing@ion.ac.uk.