This May, push yourself, connect with your team and raise money for Carers UK by taking on the Virtual Saharan Challenge. Whilst we are all having to stay local for now, that doesn't mean we can't virtually trek the distance of the Sahara and dream of that Moroccan sunshine.

We've teamed up with Action Challenge for a month-long event where individuals or teams have the choice to walk, jog or run various distances throughout the whole of May. You can choose to virtually trek some incredible routes across the Sahara whether it's along the sand dunes of the Draa valley, going to the gateway of the Sahara Desert in the Atlas mountain or even up Mt Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa.

The difference your fundraising makes

At Centrica, were helping Carers UK to reach an additional 2 million carers across the course of our three-year partnership, connecting them to practical and emotional support and information so that no-one has to care alone.

Our fundraising efforts will continue to boost the areas of Carers UK work that need it the most so that, together, we can have the biggest impact for unpaid carers - this includes supporting the Carers UK Helpline.

As the only national helpline for unpaid carers in the UK, it provides an essential lifeline connecting carers to vital support and information. Additional funding in 2020 helped significantly extend the service on a temporary basis to meet the huge increase in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; however, with record numbers of carers continuing to rely on this service more funds are needed to ensure every carer receives the support they so desperately need and deserve.

Each pound we raise will help support more carers.

£25 could help us make vital connections and answer emails from four people who find it difficult to pick up the phone

£200 could allow a trained adviser to run a Zoom advice session, helping to connect 20 carers who are new to caring, bringing them together to share crucial information and support

£500 could staff our Helpline for a day, helping connect over 100 carers to much-needed information and support from one of our trained advisers

Our fundraising will have a huge impact on the lives of carers across the UK!