Our Story

This July, the team at Costain is stepping out once again to support the life-saving work of the Samaritans.

This year's walk is organized in honor of our former colleagues, Josh Meldrum, who we sadly lost in August 2021, and Maria Eftimova, involved in a tragic and fatal accident whilst hiking in North Wales. Following the charity walk we completed in 2022, the team is coming together once again to keep up this fundraising tradition in their memory.

To honour them, we are taking on a significant physical challenge: walking 24 kilometres in 7 hours on 23rd July.

Why 24km and 7 hours?

We chose these numbers to align with the Samaritans 24/7 Awareness Campaign. July 24th (24/7) is Samaritans Awareness Day—a vital initiative reminding everyone that their free, confidential mental health helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Details:

• Date: 23rd July

• The Route: The 24km flat trail runs along the Bridgewater Canal and the Trans Pennine Trail, starting at Altrincham Interchange and turning around at Lymm Cross. The route includes several accessible checkpoints so colleagues can join for shorter sections or show their support.

In the UK, Samaritans volunteers answer a call for help every 10 seconds. They are there in people's darkest hours, ensuring that no one has to face their struggles alone.

How your donation helps:

Every pound we raise directly helps keep the Samaritans helpline open and free for anyone in distress.

• £5 can help answer a life-saving call.

• £24 can support the recruitment and training of a listening volunteer.

Please consider sponsoring our team, matching our steps with a donation, or joining us on the trail to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.

Thank you so much for your generosity and for helping us remember Josh and Maria.

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, Samaritans are always there to listen without judgment on 116 123.