In Reading and the surrounding areas, there are approximately 100,000 boys. By the time these boys are 15 years of age, roughly 1 in 2 of them will not be living with both parents. The vast majority will be living with their mother and risk losing contact with their father.

These boys will grow up to face far more challenges than your average boy. Unemployment, academic failure, depression, chronic illness, anxiety and poverty later in life are all far more likely for fatherless boys.

So on Father's Day weekend 2026, a brave group of people will be setting out to walk (or run) 50 miles in the Peak District National Park in just 24 hours. This includes climbing the height equivalent to England's tallest mountain (Scafell Pike). However, their ultimate challenge is to raise £100K to bring an end to the fatherless crisis.