Blog. Hospitality Walks It Your Way.
September 14, 2026 | Author Giuliana Vittiglio
As our nationwide movement Walk for Wellbeing begins in just under a month, hospitality teams and businesses across the UK are preparing to “Walk It Your Way”. From team walks and fundraising bake offs to counting every step taken, every interpretation is helping to bring colleagues together, promote better mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, and raise vital funds for our work. Since launching in 2020, Walk for Wellbeing has raised more than £500,000. Here, some of the teams taking part share why Walk for Wellbeing matters to them and the unique ways they’re making every step count this October.
The Independent Hotel Show is just around the corner, how will you be bringing Walk for Wellbeing to life at this year’s event?
This year, the Independent Hotel Show team is taking part in Walk for Wellbeing in its own way, by counting every step taken during the show on 5-6 October at Olympia London.
From preparing the show floor and welcoming visitors to supporting exhibitors, speakers and partners across two busy days, the team will cover plenty of ground. Those steps will help raise vital funds for Hospitality Action and support people working throughout the hospitality industry.
David Todd, Event Director for the Independent Hotel Show, says: “The team covers an incredible number of steps during the Independent Hotel Show, so this year we wanted to put
that effort towards a cause that matters deeply to our industry. Hospitality Action provides essential support to hospitality people facing difficult times, and we hope our Walk It Your Way challenge will raise both funds and awareness for its vital work.”
Hospitality is built on its people, which is why this cause is so important to the Independent Hotel Show, in partnership with James Hallam Insurance Brokers. By supporting the team’s Walk It Your Way challenge, donors can help turn every step taken during this year’s show into meaningful support for hospitality professionals when they need it most. Every donation, no matter the size, will help make a difference. Click here to donate to the Independent Hotel Show team.
What motivated Aramark to take part in Walk for Wellbeing?
Ben Postlethwaite, Finance Director says: “At Aramark, supporting the wellbeing of people across our organisation and the wider hospitality industry is something we care deeply about, which is why we're proud to be taking part in Hospitality Action's Walk for Wellbeing 2026. The cause is particularly close to our hearts, with two of our executive leaders, Chris Garside and Helen Milligan-Smith, serving as trustees of Hospitality Action and helping to champion the incredible work the charity does across our sector.
We see first-hand the pressures faced by hospitality workers, we know the difference Hospitality Action makes through its
practical and emotional support. Having previously won Hospitality Action's Summer Challenge 2024 and raised more than £3,000, we're excited to get involved again, bring colleagues together across the UK, and raise even more funds. Every step we take helps support the people who make our industry such a special place to work.” Click here to donate to Team Aramark.
How will the Hakkasan Group be taking part in Walk for Wellbeing?
Sammy Hoey, Executive Assistant and Community Manager says: “Hakkasan Group is proud to be taking part in Hospitality Action's Walk for Wellbeing, joining hospitality professionals across the UK in support of mental health and wellbeing within our industry.
On 5 October our team will be setting off from our restaurant, Yauatcha City and taking in some of the City's most iconic landmarks, including the Barbican Centre, Postman's Park, St Paul's Cathedral and Guildhall, before returning to Yauatcha City for some well-earned dim sum! We are incredibly excited to support such an important cause. Hospitality Action plays a vital role in helping people within our industry, and
we're delighted to be contributing to an initiative that promotes the importance of mental health and wellbeing, while bringing our teams together. We look forward to putting our best foot forward and making a positive impact for a cause that means so much”.
How will The Newman Hotel be fundraising?
Gabriel Fracassi, People & Culture Advisor comments: “We launched our fundraising with a team afternoon tea bake off, which brought amazing energy across the hotel. We had 10 entries from the team, 100+ tasters voting for their favourite dessert, and three winners for best taste, best presentation and best dessert overall. It was a lovely way to launch our campaign and helped us raise £200 within 48 hours!
What stood out most was the involvement and passion from the team. People were talking about the cakes, tasting all the desserts, voting, and donating to support Hospitality Action. As part of our REAL People™ values, supporting our local community is really important to us, so joining the fundraising for Hospitality Action felt like a natural fit, we are hospitality, after all. It also gave us a special moment to come together as
a team, enjoy some brilliant desserts, and raise money for such an important cause.
We are also doing our own Walks for Wellbeing around Fitzrovia. 12 people already participated in August, and more people will join in the walks in September and October”. Click here to donate to The Newman Hotel team.
How will The Montagu Arms Hotel be taking part in Walk for Wellbeing?
Paige Aydon, Events & Marketing Executive comments: “The Montagu Arms will be taking part in Walk for Wellbeing with a team of around 10 from across the hotel, completing the 10km route around Lymington and Keyhaven. It's a beautiful stretch of coastline right on our doorstep, following the Solent Way past the marshes and out towards Hurst Castle, so we're looking forward to spending the day outdoors together as a team while supporting such an important cause for our industry.
We'll be fundraising through sponsorship, with the team setting up a page to collect donations in the lead-up to the walk, and encouraging colleagues, guests and the wider Beaulieu community to get behind us. Every contribution goes directly towards Hospitality Action's wellbeing and support services, something that matters deeply to us as a team.” Click here to donate to The Montagu Arms Hotel team.
From landmark walks and coastal routes to bake offs and step challenges, there really is no one way to Walk It Your Way. What matters is coming together, looking after our wellbeing and helping raise vital funds for our industry people. Whether you’re walking with colleagues, organising your own walk or simply cheering on those taking part, there’s still time to get involved. Learn more at: www.walkforwellbeing.org