London to Sydney Charity Race

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, InfraRed staff participated in a collective effort to raise over £160,000 in aid of charities which are helping people desperately in need.

We did this by competing in the InfraRed London to Sydney Charity Race: a six-week race against the clock to travel on foot the 16,983km distance between InfraRed’s London and Sydney offices. The InfraRed business and the Managing Partners, acting in a personal capacity, committed to donate £100,000 if the team made it to Sydney before 7th June 2020. 

Over 175 staff members from each of our London, Ney York, Hong Kong, Mexico, Seoul and Sydney offices ran and walked as far as they could to reach our final destination. The team crossed the finish line on the 5th June 2020, three days before the six-week challenge ended.  

During the lockdown period, and in common with many people, InfraRed staff had to juggle work and family responsibilities. Participation in the event therefore required real commitment and it was tremendous to see assorted partners, children and pets also taking part in the virtual race. Some of us were not experienced walkers and runners beforehand, but still stepped up to the challenge and achieved some admirable personal firsts. Several of us were unfortunately afflicted with injuries along the way, but persevered to continue to contribute to the race.  

Due to the generosity of the InfraRed team, our families, friends and business partners, we raised over £160,000 to help those whose lives have been severely impacted by COVID-19. 

The funds have been disbursed to a number of charities, here in the UK and the cities of our global office locations, that provide vital support during the pandemic. This has helped to promote good health and wellbeing, in line with InfraRed’s values and our commitment to community engagement. 

• Samaritans Emergency Appeal, UK- Samaritans are a UK-wide charity that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or struggling to cope, often through their telephone helpline. 
• Trussell Trust, UK – The Trussell Trust are working to stop UK hunger and poverty. Their network of foodbanks provides emergency food and support to people in crisis.  
• Coalition for the Homeless, New York - https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/   
• Good 360, Sydney - https://good360.org/   
• Community Chest of Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Rainbow Fund – https://www.commchest.org/en   
• Good Neighbours, Seoul -http://www.goodneighbors.kr/support/company/company.gn    
• Mexican Red Cross, Mexico City - https://www.cruzrojamexicana.org.mx/   

Following the success of InfraRed’s London to Sydney Charity Race, several of our business partners and project companies have replicated the concept of a virtual race to raise money for those impacted by COVID-19. 

“Thank you so much to everyone who took part in the InfraRed London to Sydney Charity Race! Your incredible support has been most important than ever. These uncertain, challenging times have been affecting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing and Samaritans have provided emotional support round the clock. Since the pandemic began, we have been providing support over 7,000 times a day to people struggling with issues such as loneliness, domestic violence, money worries, unemployment and anxiety.  

The funds raised will enable us to continue to be there round the clock for anyone that needs us. We have been introducing new systems for volunteers to answer calls and email from home and launched new services to support key workers. Without your incredible efforts, these would not have been possible.  

On behalf of everyone at Samaritans, thank you for ensuring we can continue to be there for people struggling to cope.” 

Sam Gale, Samaritans Emergency Appeal