8:00pm

Our Race to Respond liveblog is closing for today, but we’d love to hear how your challenge went!

Email us, post in our Facebook Group or use hashtag #RaceToRespond to let us know how things went.

Our current fundraising total stands at an amazing £8257. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible!

6:00pm

We’ve had a few people ask whether they need to provide proof that they’ve completed their distance, and though we don’t need you to send this to us it can be a good idea to update your fundraising page so people you’ve asked to donate can see what you’ve achieved.

If you use Strava you can connect it to your JustGiving page and sync your activity, a guide on doing this is available here from JustGiving.

You can also take a screenshot or add any other kind of update manually using the update box, visible when you’re logged in.

4:00pm

6 hours into event day, and we hope your challenge is going well!

If it’s warm where you are and you’re waiting until later to start your challenge, you can find tips for exercising in warm weather earlier in this live blog.

This video provides an update on the reality on the ground from our Head of Emergencies Alex Pendry. Please note, some viewers may find the subject matter covered here distressing.

If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve seen today, there’s still time to join and take on your own Race to Respond challenge! Just click Start Fundraising at the top of this page.

3:00pm

Now we’re getting into the afternoon, some of you might already have completed your distance! If you have, don’t forget it’s important to stretch and cool down after exercise as well.

See our video below for a short, relaxing stretch and cool-down yoga video, to help your body recover after your challenge.

2:00pm

By supporting our Venezuela Earthquake appeal you’re helping to support not only the British Red Cross, but also our sister Red Cross and Red Crescent societies who are also providing much needed aid in the area.

We are just one member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement, responding to crisis across the world through financial support as well as sharing the knowledge and expertise of our staff before, during and after an emergency.

The below video offers insight into how the British Red Cross operates as part of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent movement.

1:00pm

Race to Respond: 10K for Venezuela kicked off this morning, and has already raised an incredible £8,167!

As just one example, that’s enough to fund 994 tarpaulins to provide affected families with temporary shelter.

Thank you for all your support already, and wherever you are in your challenge good luck and keep going!

If you’ve been inspired, there’s still time to sign up! Just click Start Fundraising from our JustGiving Fundraising Hub to join Race to Respond.

12:00pm

Need some midday inspiration? When you support the British Red Cross, you’re supporting the world’s largest international humanitarian network, and the money raised through this event will mean so much to our teams and partners working in Venezuela.

This video is taken from a field hospital in one of the worst affected areas, providing a clear example of the support being provided by Red Cross societies. Please note, this video contains scenes some viewers may find distressing.

11:00am

We hope the weather is nice where you are, and you're feeling good about your 10K challenge!

If it’s still warm where you are, please make sure that you’re adapting your challenge accordingly to avoid over exerting yourself. If you need to do your challenge over several days, or run inside on a treadmill to avoid the sun, it all still counts.

Be careful of your limits and consult a qualified medical practitioner if you’re unsure.

General advice for exercise during high temperatures is:

- Don’t do too much during the hottest parts of the day.

- Stay hydrated by taking water with you and consider rehydration salts or sachets.

- Avoid surfaces like tarmac that get very hot and look for shady areas where possible.

- Wear a hat and sunscreen and reduce intensity of activities to avoid over exertion.

10:00am

Everyone ready... Everyone set... It's GO time for Race to Respond!

Today, it's your challenge to run, walk, cycle, use a wheelchair or cover any other way you like a total distance of 10K

Don't forget to join our Facebook Group and use #RaceToRespond to share how your challenge is going, however and wherever you're taking part.

To get you started, here’s a quick yoga warm up you can get your challenge going with.

Warming up before physical activity is important for reducing injury and improving performance. Depending on how you will be covering your distance, additional warm up activity may be advisable.

This is not provided as medical advice, and we'd recommend you consult a physician before beginning any brand new or intense exercise.

In an emergency, every second counts, and so does your support.

Complete a 10k on 18th July, where you are, in your way and help us to get life-saving aid to people in Venezuela. Click 'Start Fundraising' to join now.

You’ve probably seen the devastating events in Venezuela on the news.

On 24 June 2026, two strong earthquakes, measuring at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck north-central Venezuela just 39 seconds apart, causing catastrophic damage and impacting reportedly nearly ten million people.

As you read this, Venezuelan Red Cross teams are helping people who need it most. Emergencies like this turn people’s lives upside down, tear families apart, and can leave even the most resilient communities struggling to rebuild. The faster we respond, the more lives we can save.

People need us right now, and we need you.

Click 'Start Fundraising', create your fundraising page and join Ready Set Respond: 10k for Venezuela on 18th July to raise funds for our emergency response.

It’s an easy way to turn your empathy into action: how and where you complete the 10 kilometre distance is completely up to you. So plan your route, start your fitness tracker and let your loved ones know they can support you.

1. Get ready by setting up your fundraising page and asking your friends, family and followers to sponsor you.

2. Get set by deciding your route and joining us for launch on 18th July. You then have all day to complete the distance by running, walking, swimming, wheeling or any way that suits you.

You can take part with others (including four-legged companions) and if you're going solo, you won’t be on your own. Around the country, on local streets and on socials, people like you will be sharing the experience and turning kindness into action.

We know that when disaster hits the headlines, it can be hard to know how to help. But together we can be there for people when the worst happens. Together, we are the world's emergency responders.

Hot Weather Precautions

if the weather’s hot, please think about how much exercise you should be doing. You can always take part in a different way, for instance covering the same distance over several days instead of one. Or switch to an indoor activity based somewhere with air conditioning if possible. Be careful of your limits and consult a qualified medical practitioner if you’re not sure.

General advice for exercise during high temperatures is:

- Don’t do too much during the hottest parts of the day.

- Stay hydrated by taking water with you and consider rehydration salts or sachets.

- Avoid surfaces like tarmac that get very hot and look for shady areas where possible.

- Wear a hat and sunscreen and reduce intensity of activities to avoid over exertion.

Terms and Conditions

You must be 18 or older to sign up for Race to Respond, or create a JustGiving account. If you are not 18 please get a parent or guardian to register on your behalf.

This event could be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control of the British Red Cross. The British Red Cross reserves the right to refuse an event registration.

Physical challenge events can be stressful on the body, and we advise those taking part to consult with a GP/medical professional and confirm that their involvement in this event is in line with any advice received that could prevent them from training and participating in this event.

The Venezuela Earthquake Appeal will support people in areas affected and those potentially affected in the future by this crisis. In the event there are surplus funds raised these will be used for the general charitable purposes of the British Red Cross. Gift Aid recovered on donations received to this appeal, and any income earned on funds held (such as bank interest), will fund the whole of our work.