Fundraising
Doctors in Distress is incredibly grateful to everyone who fundraises for the charity.
We could not continue our lifesaving work without your support. We are almost entirely reliant on your donations and do not receive any Government funding. Please consider donating today.
Fundraising Resources
Get inspired with a range of fundraising challenge ideas, plus practical tips to help you set up your JustGiving page with ease.
Corporate Funding
Looking to make a difference through your organisation? From sponsorship opportunities to team fundraising challenges, there are many rewarding ways to get involved and support our cause.
Fundraise in Memory
Honour the memory of a loved one by making a lasting impact. Explore meaningful ways to fundraise in their name.
Our Shop
Explore our shop for special keepsakes, including Memorial Pin Badges and beautifully curated Retore Poetry Bottles, in partnership with the Poetry Pharmacy.
Ways to Donate
Every donation counts. Explore the different ways you can give – whether once or on a regular basis.
Current Fundraising Activities
Past Fundraising Activities
Ed Hutchison
Dr Ed Hutchison, our Ambassador, completed a half marathon every day in August 2025, wearing hospital scrubs. This epic fundraiser saw him running 654km across the whole month and he raised a brilliant £1,400 for our charity. Thank you Ed!
He said: “We all know the pressure the NHS is under, but it is just as important that we remember the staff that are being asked to deliver more care in an ever increasingly stretched and under-funded system.”
Jon Beauchamp
Jon’s best man and friend Miles Christie, a GP, tragically took his own life in 2019. Jon swam the length of Lake Zurich (26km) in August 2025 in Miles’ memory and raised almost £8,000 for our charity. What an incredible amount- we are so grateful!
He said: “When Miles was in difficulty, he avoided seeking help as he was deeply concerned that having mental health challenges would negatively impact his career.
I want to raise money for Doctors in Distress who help healthcare professionals facing extreme challenges whilst undertaking the work they do to care for us all.”
Zander Shugar
Zander, a third-year medical student at Manchester University, climbed the Grand Capucin, summiting Mont Blanc and hiked the 180km Tour du Mont Blanc — all within just two weeks in July 2025. He raised a smashing £750 for our charity.
He said: “As a medical student, I’ve seen first-hand how little support exists for the very people who care for others. Consequently, it’s important to realise how this lack of support can lead to worse patient care and can be dangerous. That’s why I’m fundraising for Doctors in Distress, a charity dedicated to supporting the mental health of healthcare professionals.
Mountaineering has always been my mental health anchor. Now, I’m using it to advocate for others who may be silently struggling.“
Deb Ainsworth
Deb Ainsworth, a midwife from South Wales, completed a 75km Ultra Challenge fundraising walk on 19th July 2025 at the Gower Peninsula. Deb took on the challenge in memory of her brother Jonathan, a consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, who took his own life in 2023.
She raised £1200, which was shared between our charity and ANDYMANSCLUB. Brilliant work Deb!
She said: “I am doing this mammoth walk to raise money for Doctors in Distress, and ANDYMANSCLUB to increase the awareness of the incredible work done by these charities, both for NHS staff, and Men’s Mental health. They are essential and can only keep going with donations.”
Eamonn Kerins
Eamonn completed his first ever Ironman challenge in June, raising almost £1000.
The Bolton 70.3 is a half-Ironman event, comprising a 1.2 mile lake swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a half marathon.
Eamonn wanted to raise money for Doctors in Distress after the charity helped support his wife, a GP, who was struggling with her mental health. He said: “It feels good to do something to help such an important charity.”
Simon Frazer
Dr Simon Frazer, founder of Doctors Training, took part in the Three Peaks challenge, which saw him scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon- all in 24 hours. He raised over £1000.
Simon said: “Doctors in Distress’ mission is close to my heart. After nearly three decades in the NHS, I know how tough it can be to keep going when you’re under pressure – especially in silence.“
Thank you Simon!
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith, a senior business analyst with VitalHub UK, embarked on an epic trek to Everest Base Camp, at a staggering 18,240ft, to raise funds.
This tough challenge began on 7 April and Joseph, and his partner’s father Pete, walked for around 7-8 hours per day, covering 80-100 miles in total.
VHUK chose Doctors in Distress as one of their charity partners of the year.
The money raised by Joseph, around £500, will be divided between Doctors in Distress and Dementia UK. Thank you for your support!
Raykal Sim
Doctor Raykal Sim ran the London Marathon on 27 April to raise money for our charity.
Raykal said she began running to help with her mental health after struggling with anxiety and depression since becoming a doctor.
She said: “Without the help I received during my own difficult times, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
She raised a brilliant £780. Thank you!
Emma Whiting
Emma, a resident doctor, took part in the Manchester Marathon on 27th April to raise funds for our charity.
Emma said: “Working in healthcare can be really tough. As a resident doctor, I’ve experienced first-hand how pressures at work can quickly impact your whole wellbeing.
“I’m passionate about making sure nobody has to deal with this alone, and Doctors in Distress is doing a fantastic job of supporting us.”
Pippa Woolner
GP Pippa and her son walked 20km along the North Norfolk coast on 17 April to support our Every Minute Of Every Day appeal.
Pippa said she wanted to fundraise for our charity as she is passionate about supporting those who care for us when we are sick.
She said: “I want to support Doctors in Distress is because I find it so shocking that every 3 weeks in this country we lose a doctor to suicide and feel that more needs to be done to support our healthcare workforce. Working in the NHS is a huge privilege, but it can also take its toll.”
Pippa’s total was around £1200. We are so grateful!
5k A Day
Resident doctor and Doctors in Distress Ambassador, Ed Hutchison, ran at least 5k every day of 2024 in hospital scrubs to raise money for our charity. From September, Ed steadily increased the lengths of his runs and culminated in a marathon on New Year’s Eve. Ed, who lives near Bristol, discovered our charity through Adam Kay’s work and believes we do vital work to protect the mental health of healthcare workers. His challenge raised more than £10,000.
Three Peaks Challenge
In August 2024, Dr Kamal Sidhu and a group of fellow medical professionals took on the Three Peaks Challenge. The NHS Crew, as they were known, walked the UK’s three highest mountains- Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales, to raise funds for Doctors in Distress. Their efforts raised a brilliant £15,000, which helped fund our vital work to protect the mental health of all healthcare workers.
5K in May
In May 2024, Doctors in Distress held its fourth annual fundraiser called 5K in May to support the mental wellbeing of our healthcare workers.
The challenge was to complete a 5k during the month of May and dozens of fundraisers supported us in different ways, either by swimming, cycling, running, walking and even bootcamps.
The theme was ‘One Step Forward’, both in terms of participants taking that one step in their 5k journey and also encouraging healthcare professionals to take that step towards seeking support for their mental health.
We were delighted to raise more than £8,000 which will all go towards funding vital services to prevent suicide and protect the mental health of all healthcare workers.
A Marathon A Month
One of our Trustees, Professor Subodh Dave, ran at least a marathon a month from January 2024 to June 2024, in aid of Doctors in Distress. Subodh is no stranger to these incredible feats, having previously cycled the Channel to Mediterranean in just over a week, and completed the Berlin marathon in under three hours.
He ran more than 1100 miles throughout his epic challenge, which finished in South Africa at the 54-mile Comrades race. The hilly route is the equivalent of running up Snowdon twice, and once back down.
Subodh, Dean of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, raised an incredible £11,000.