Blog. Walking It Their Way: Meet the Supporters Going the Extra Mile.
August 25, 2026 | Author Giuliana Vittiglio
With just over six weeks to go until Walk for Wellbeing 2026, excitement is building. This October, hospitality people across the UK will walk and unite for a common cause: to put wellbeing in hospitality firmly on the map.
With 14 hosted walks taking place across the UK, participants can also choose to “Walk It Your Way,” wherever, whenever and however they choose. Two intrepid supporters have taken this message to the next level: Charlie Hodson and Kate Callan.
We caught up with them both to find out more about their challenges, their inspiration and why supporting wellbeing in hospitality matters so much.
Charlie Hodson, Hospitality Action Patron and Entrepreneur
You walked from Norfolk to London as part of Walk for Wellbeing 2024. Tell us your plans for 2026.
On 15 October I will leave Hustle Gym (my training partner) in Norwich to walk approx. 274 miles across the country to join the HA South West team on 25 October in Bath Spa, where their Walk for Wellbeing will begin.
During my walk, I’ll be reaching out every morning for human kindness, as I’ll be walking unsupported, carrying everything on my back for ten days and sleeping in the great outdoors, where I stop my walk each day. I’ll be without a warm bed to help bring awareness to folk in our industry that find themselves without a bed of their own for whatever reason.
Why do you think Walk for Wellbeing is such an important initiative for our industry?
Walk for Wellbeing has many strings to its bow: it gets people out and active, encouraging those who wouldn’t generally exercise to give it a go. It gives people the opportunity to walk and talk with friends and colleagues, helping break down barriers for those who might be going through hard times with their own mental health, just to find that friendly ear that listens knowing it's ok not to be ok.
What began with Craig Prentice and Sean Wheeler walking along the Thames and catching up during COVID and has snowballed into something much bigger. It’s amazing how much walking and talking brings people together and brings unity within organisations.
What’s more, ‘Walk It Your Way' gives people the opportunity to take part however they want and still support the charity, even if they can’t commit to the distances. The movement also raises much needed awareness of Hospitality Action and generates essential funds, raising over £500,000 since 2020 already.
It’s so important to open up conversations and give those who normally shy away the confidence to speak up. They can walk and talk freely about how they are and how they feel. During a time of need, one conversation could spark a new start, or a life changing journey.
How can businesses and individuals in hospitality get involved and support Hospitality Action?
Businesses can support or sponsor the event. You don’t have to be directly in hospitality as an employer or employee, you could be a business who supplies to the industry. You can support an individual, a team or even
your region. I'd like to personally thank The Cheese Truckle and Crown Supplies Norfolk for their amazing support.
The assistance Hospitality Action offers is primarily financial, and without that financial support, we simply can’t help those who need us. That’s why getting involved with Walk for Wellbeing is so important. Whether you’re taking part yourself, supporting a friend on social media, or simply heading out to walk alongside someone for a stretch, there are lots of ways to get involved.
When I take on my 274-mile walk, there will undoubtedly be times when it feels lonely, so I’ll be putting out a call for people to come and meet me, walk a little way with me and keep me company. You could come and spectate, bring a cup of tea or coffee, join someone for a couple of hours, or even meet them along their route with a bottle of water and a chat. Taking part in Walk for Wellbeing is a great way to show your support and discover how Hospitality Action helps those working in our industry.
Kate Callan, New Business Manager, Avendra
Tell us a little about yourself and what first inspired you to support Hospitality Action.
I live in a small mining village in County Durham, and I’m passionate about the people, connections, and community that make hospitality such a special industry.
I was first inspired to support Walk for Wellbeing because my own walking journey began around 15 months ago, and it has had such a positive impact on my wellbeing. Walking has given me time to clear my mind, stay active, and experience first-hand how taking small steps can make a big difference, both mentally and physically.
Hospitality can be incredibly rewarding, but also demanding, with long hours, busy environments, and the pressure of always putting others first. That’s why I feel it’s so important to encourage people to prioritise their wellbeing and remind others it is okay to sometimes put yourself first. I am now very proud to work for Avendra International supporting hospitality through a different angle through procurement and system solutions, and they also look after me too!
This walk is about coming together, raising awareness, and supporting our hospitality community. I hope my campaign inspires others to get moving, connect, and take that first step towards better wellbeing.
How does Avendra support its employees when it comes to mental health and wellbeing?
At Avendra International, we help hospitality and other organisations manage procurement, supply chain challenges, and support their day-to-day operations. But supporting our own people is just as important to us as supporting the businesses we serve.
We want our colleagues to work in an environment where they can speak openly about their wellbeing and know where to turn when they need help with regular 1-1 check ins, and accessible meaningful support readily available.
That is why our line managers receive Mental Health First Aid training. It helps them recognise when a colleague may be experiencing difficulties, start a supportive conversation, listen without judgement, and guide them towards appropriate professional help. By building this understanding across our management team, we aim to make conversations about mental health a normal part of working life and create a culture where people genuinely look out for one another.
What do you have planned for Walk for Wellbeing 2026?
I have set myself the challenge of walking a minimum of 250km! My journey will take me through 5 cities, starting in Glasgow, followed by Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle, before finishing in London. Each walk will be an opportunity to connect with people, raise awareness, and have conversations about the importance of wellbeing.
Between each main walk, I’ll be walking every single day to keep the miles building and hopefully go beyond my 250km target!
Along the way, I’m looking forward to sharing stories, having plenty of laughs and finding out more about what we all do. With my hospitality background and my role at Avendra International, I also hope to share useful ideas, tools and support that can make day-to-day working life easier and take some of the pressure off. For me, it’s about bringing our hospitality community together, creating positive connections and making wellbeing a priority.
I’ll be sharing my full journey and progress on LinkedIn, so I’d love for you to follow along and join me every step of the way!
What would you say to others considering supporting Hospitality Action.
If you’re considering supporting Hospitality Action, I have just two words: DO IT! You never know when you or someone in our hospitality community might need extra help, support or simply someone to turn to.
Hospitality is an incredible industry, full of amazing people who work hard to look after others every day. But we never truly know what someone may be facing or when we might need support ourselves. I personally know how it feels to need help, and I want to remind people that reaching out is okay. Hospitality Action offers a range of support, including a 24/7 helpline for those who need someone to listen and guide them.
By supporting Hospitality Action, we can help ensure that this support is available when it matters most. Whether through fundraising, taking part in an event, sharing its message or starting a conversation about wellbeing, every contribution can make a difference. For me, it’s simply about looking after one another. Together, we can help make sure that no one in hospitality must face difficult times alone.
A huge and heartfelt thank you to Charlie and Kate for taking on such incredible challenges. We’re incredibly lucky to have such passionate and committed supporters by our side.
If you’d like to donate towards Charlie’s challenge, click here.
To support Kate, click here.
And if you’re inspired to take part yourself, join Walk for Wellbeing here. #wevegotyou