Toy industry covers more than 26,000km for the Toy Trust’s Around the World in 80 Hours event

The toy industry has raised more than £20,000 for charitable causes during their Around the World in 80 Hours event.

Participants from across the industry representing everything from manufacturers to retailers and licensors came together with one aim – to cover the globe in distance covered through any activity that was non-motorised. Individuals ran, walked, swam, cycled, walked whilst hula hooping, paddle-boarded or kayaked, and some completed their stint on horseback.

The distance covered over the course of the Around the World in 80 Hours event did not quite manage to circumnavigate the entire globe but did cover all land mass on Earth joined together (with no oceans included), a distance which stretches further than Inverness to Auckland.

The event has raised more than £24,000 for the Toy Trust which will go on to support two carefully selected UK based children’s charity partners – my AFK and Handicapped Children’s Action Group (HCAG), both of which provide specialist mobility equipment for children who would otherwise not have access to due to long NHS waiting lists and high costs.

“It has been a really tough year for disabled children, young people and their families,” says Lyn Prodger, corporate partnerships manager at AFK. “Access to appropriate mobility equipment is simply vital for independence, good mental and physical health and just to get out and about and have fun. The biggest thank you to all those incredible people in the toy Industry who have been out this weekend running, cycling, walking and swimming to raise funds for our work. Your generosity will help us provide the perfect wheelchair or trike and it couldn’t have come a better time.”

Chairman of the Toy Trust Committee Graham Canning said: “This year’s event was like no other, and whilst we have not been able to gather together to take on the challenge in one place, I am so proud of the efforts of everyone from across the toy industry in getting involved wherever they are based. It is fantastic to have seen over 375 individuals get involved and raise money for our inspirational children’s charities which will bring mobility and happiness to many children through their support. Thank you once again from the Toy Trust to everyone that took part.”