On 18th May we - Emma, Molly, Aj, Jake and Syra - are running the Hackney Half to raise money for Summer Hype - the Hackney youth movement that Emma and Manya set up that aims to transform lives.

It would mean so much to us, and make a world of difference to young people in Hackney, if you would donate! It couldn’t be easier for you to be part of the work we do at Summer Hype, changing young people’s futures for the better.

Think what a contribution your generous donation can make to our work without you having to actually run a half marathon OR a youth group!

Who we are, what we do

Summer Hype is a residential summer camp and leadership training programme for underprivileged and vulnerable young people from Hackney. Summer Hype is specially designed to help them to grow in confidence, resilience and aspiration and have the opportunity to be part of a positive, empowering community. From the age of 16, participants train to become leaders, ensuring that Summer Hype is peer-led. So far, 40 young people have graduated from Summer Hype's leadership training, becoming inspiring and relatable role models, leading Summer Hype's residential camps to both pay it forward and grow our change-making community.

We are a small charity making a big and tangible impact in the lives of young people in Hackney - we have the impact data to back it up.

With a small charity like Summer Hype, you know that your money will go directly towards our work with Hackney's young people.

This year £360 will cover the food, accommodation and activities for one young person to have the life-changing experience of the Summer Hype community. If we can raise £2000, that will fund transformative experiences for 6 young people to come on camp this summer. That's just 100 people giving £20 - to pay for 6 young people's places on Summer Hype. By donating to Summer Hype you become part of this transformative experience and our Summer Hype community.

Don't just take it from us - watch our incredible and inspiring young people here telling you what Summer Hype means to them and the impact it has.

2024 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps1pi-LyvOY&t=21s

2023 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_3QyqaL3C0]

"I’ve become more comfortable going into leadership roles. I don’t think I would be doing that without Summer Hype. It's nice coming back every year and seeing people that I’m close with to this day. The kids are putting themselves out of their comfort zone to be with their friends, away from school and away from parents. They’re in an environment where they can be their authentic selves and find themselves. It's amazing to see the kids grow into mature people and be who they are."

"I wanted to become part of that change and become beneficial for other people in Hackney. That is why I stayed being a leader. To me, being a leader is being a great role model to participants and creating an environment where young people are not only able to be themselves but also be enhanced versions of themselves.”

Check out our website and instagram too (@itssummerhype).

And if that's not enough motivation to get you to support Summer Hype, then please donate just to make the grueling hours of training mean something good has come from this! Running this distance does not come easy and we are sure everyone is tired of listening to us moan about running and muscle pains... And if that still isn’t motivation enough, donate because we’ll be personally touched by each and every donation.

Please come and cheer us and Summer Hype along on Sunday 18 May in the streets of Hackney and help us reach the finish line. Summer Hype banners and t-shirts very much encouraged!

Love Summer Hype runners: Emma, Molly, Jake, Aj and Syra

xoxo