M&S Launches 2026 Big Fun-Raiser With Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge for Young People’s Mental Health

M&S Launches 2026 Big Fun-Raiser With Land’s End to John O’Groats Challenge for Young People’s Mental Health

(IN BRIEF) M&S is bringing back its Big Fun-raiser from 4 to 13 June 2026 to support YoungMinds, its headline charity partner focused on young people’s mental health. The nationwide campaign will involve M&S colleagues, customers, stores and support centres in fundraising activity across the UK, with customers able to contribute through at-till donations and local events. A major highlight of this year’s campaign will be a 10-day Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle challenge, undertaken by 18 M&S colleagues to raise funds and awareness. The Big Fun-raiser forms part of the M&S and YoungMinds partnership launched in October 2023, which has already raised more than £6.6 million and exceeded its original three-year target of £5 million. The partnership has supported YoungMinds’ work with young people, parents and carers, including services such as the Parents Helpline. M&S is now aiming to raise £7 million to help more young people and families access mental health support.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 2-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — M&S has announced the return of its Big Fun-raiser in support of YoungMinds, bringing colleagues, customers and communities together across the UK to raise funds and awareness for young people’s mental health. The 2026 campaign will run from 4 to 13 June and will include in-store fundraising, customer donations, colleague-led activities and a major cycle challenge covering the length of the UK.

This year’s Big Fun-raiser will once again support YoungMinds, the UK charity focused on young people’s mental health. The campaign is designed to encourage more open conversations around mental wellbeing while helping young people, parents, carers and families access guidance and support when they need it most.

A key part of the 2026 fundraising programme will be a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle challenge. Eighteen M&S colleagues will take on the 10-day ride from the southwest of England to the far north of Scotland, creating opportunities for local communities, fellow colleagues and customers to show their support along the route. Representatives from YoungMinds will also join parts of the campaign activity.

Across the wider business, M&S colleagues in stores and support centres will participate in their own “Together We’ve Got This” challenge, tracking physical activity and fundraising contributions throughout the campaign. Stores nationwide will also host local fundraising initiatives, giving customers the opportunity to support YoungMinds through at-till donations and community-led activity.

The Big Fun-raiser forms part of the wider M&S and YoungMinds partnership, which launched in October 2023. Since then, the partnership has raised more than £6.6 million, surpassing its original three-year target of £5 million ahead of schedule. M&S is now aiming to reach £7 million to help YoungMinds continue expanding support for young people and the adults in their lives.

Fundraising under the partnership has taken several forms, including donations linked to sales from M&S’ Farmhouse Loaves bread range, the Doodle Boy Kidswear range and charity Christmas cards. The campaign has also been supported through colleague fundraising challenges, till-point donations and Sparks loyalty donations, helping engage millions of customers and families across the UK.

M&S Sparks customers can also support YoungMinds by selecting the charity as their chosen cause in the Sparks app, allowing fundraising to continue as they shop. Together with the Big Fun-raiser, these activities are helping create more ways for customers to contribute to mental health support for young people.

Guy Humphrey, an M&S Sweet Briar colleague taking part in the Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge, said he had long wanted to complete the route and was grateful to be selected for the ride. He said the challenge is not only about physical endurance, but also about raising funds for YoungMinds and drawing attention to the pressures facing young people in today’s fast-moving world.

Abigail Ampofo, Interim Chief Executive at YoungMinds, thanked M&S for its continued support, including the 18 cyclists taking on the UK-wide challenge. She said more young people than ever are struggling with their mental health, and donations from M&S will help YoungMinds continue vital services such as its Parents Helpline, which provides guidance and information to parents and carers supporting young people.

Through the 2026 Big Fun-raiser, M&S aims to build on the momentum of its partnership with YoungMinds while giving colleagues and customers across the country practical ways to support young people’s mental health.

Notes to editors: 

• The Big Fun-raiser will take place from 4–13 June 2026 across M&S stores and support centres in the UK
• M&S Sparks customers can select YoungMinds as their chosen charity on the Sparks app to help raise funds as they shop
• The campaign includes a Land’s End to John O’Groats cycle challenge involving 18 M&S colleagues
• Customers can support the campaign through in-store donations and local fundraising activity
• The Big Fun-raiser forms part of the M&S and YoungMinds partnership, launched in October 2023

About YoungMinds

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for young people’s mental health. For more information please visit https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

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For free advice and support for parents, call our helpline on 0808 802 5544

Media Contact:

M&S Corporate Press Office:
+44 (0)20 8718 1919
corporate.press@marks-and-spencer.com

SOURCE: Marks and Spencer