Leeds organisations invited to step up for Mission Christmas

Three Smarta Energy leaders will run and hike 99km from Leeds to LaplandUK Manchester, and they want local businesses, community groups and residents to help make every mile count.

Smarta Energy is calling on organisations across Leeds and along its challenge route to support a 99km fundraising journey for Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas, North and West Yorkshire.

On Tuesday 3rd November, Group Managing Director Kieran Dixon, CEO Lee Jacques, and Group Partnership Director Scott Birley will set out from Smarta Energy’s Garforth office at approximately 2 am, joined by members of their Marketing team, Lisa Benfield and Lilly Black, in a support capacity.

The trio will alternate between running and hiking as they travel from Leeds to LaplandUK Manchester at Capesthorne Hall. Covering approximately 99km, just over 61 miles, the challenge will test all participants mentally, physically and emotionally. 

However, Smarta Energy wants the event to become more than an endurance challenge completed by three members of its leadership team. The company hopes it will bring businesses, community organisations, employees and residents together behind a shared purpose: helping children and young people experiencing hardship feel remembered at Christmas.

Mission Christmas works to ensure children who may otherwise receive nothing have a present to open on Christmas morning. Smarta Energy is aiming to raise £10,000 through the challenge and its connected fundraising activities.

For far too many children and young people across North and West Yorkshire, Christmas can feel like just another day, only with an added sense of sadness and isolation. Cash for Kids helps bridge the gap between hardship and Christmas magic for a truly special moment when kids, eyes groggy with sleep, glance upon a gift, for them, especially for them.

The work Cash for Kids does provides more than a present; it brings hope, joy, something to look forward to and, most importantly, a reminder that they have not been forgotten. We are incredibly proud to play a small part in everything they do.

How local organisations can get involved

Smarta Energy would love to hear from organisations in Leeds or situated near the route that could support the campaign in a way that works for them.

This could include:

• Sharing the fundraising appeal with employees, customers or supporters
• Displaying a campaign flyer and donation QR code
• Making a donation or organising a workplace fundraiser
• Collecting suitable Christmas gifts
• Offering a pre-arranged water or refreshment point
• Welcoming and encouraging the team at agreed checkpoints
• Helping the campaign reach more people through local networks

Any involvement along the route will be coordinated in advance to ensure it fits safely within the event plan.

Kieran Dixon, Managing Director at Smarta Energy, said:

“The strongest partnerships create something bigger than any one organisation could achieve alone. Although three of us will be completing the full distance, we want businesses, community groups and residents across Leeds and along the route to feel part of the challenge.

Support doesn’t have to be complicated. Displaying a flyer, sharing the fundraising page, holding a small collection or simply coming out to encourage us can all help Mission Christmas reach more people. We would love to hear from anyone who wants to get involved.”

The challenge forms part of Smarta Energy’s wider support for Mission Christmas, which includes employee fundraising, gift donations and volunteering activities.

Businesses and community organisations interested in supporting the challenge can contact marketing@smartaenergy.com. 

Donations can be made through the Smarta Energy Mission Christmas fundraising page.

Every donation, gift and share will help Smarta Energy move closer to its £10,000 target—and help make Christmas brighter for children who need support most.

You can also read more about what Smarta Energy is doing here.