More than £22,000 was raised towards projects for young people by volunteers who took part in the 2020 Hackney1000 community challenge.

The event, which began in 2011 and has traditionally involved participants running, walking or skipping to cover 1000 kilometres was adapted for a lockdown lifestyle to include baking, singing, drawing, litter-picking and dancing.

The event held last month raised £22,805  for Hackney Quest, which started in 1988 to provide positive activities for the community’s young people.

To carry out the Hackney1000 safely under lockdown, Hackney Quest came up with the idea that people who are unable to run could use hours to substitute the normal activities. As a result, this year’s challenge covered 1300 kilometres, including baking, cycling, singing, drawing, litter-picking and dancing.

The project lead of Hackney Wick Youth Voice Luke Billingham said the reason he chose to dressed as a ‘silly’ ginger man had a serious side of it, “many of the young people and families we’re supporting, and I’m personally working with, are going through a really tough time, so giving them a laugh by making a fool of myself hopefully was helpful to them! ”

As one of the organizers of Hackney1000, Billingham appreciated everyone who took part in an activity for the Hackney1000, he said it was wonderful for volunteers, staff, young people and friends’ efforts to be recognised with such an amazing amount of donations. “We were delighted too because the donations mean that we can provide more of the urgent support that many young people and families in the local community need – food deliveries, laptops & tablets, essentials, mentoring support, and so on.”