ALTUS Running and Sailors’ Children’s Society join forces to make every mile matter

The partnership follows the recent launch of a new challenge events programme at Sailors’ Children’s Society, developed as the fundraising landscape becomes increasingly competitive and the charity looks for new ways to engage supporters and diversify its income.

Through the programme, the Society has secured places at a growing range of events, from 10Ks, half marathons and marathons to trail runs and fun runs. This includes access to sought-after events where general places can be difficult or expensive to secure, giving supporters the opportunity to take part while raising vital funds for children and families from seafaring backgrounds experiencing financial and emotional hardship.

For ALTUS Running, the partnership gives its members another way to take on new challenges while making their miles matter.

Founded in Hull in February 2024, ALTUS Running has quickly developed a community of more than 1,000 runners, bringing people together through weekly Shakeouts, track sessions and collaborations. With a culture that welcomes everyone from casual runners taking their first steps into the sport to experienced athletes looking for their next challenge, the partnership felt like a natural fit.

Sailors’ Children’s Society will make charity places across its events programme available to ALTUS Running members. In return, runners will commit to fundraising for the Society, helping provide financial, practical and emotional support to seafaring families when they need it most.

Opportunities range from local races and trail events to major challenges and international events, providing plenty of choice for runners of different abilities and ambitions.

The partnership is already starting as it means to go on, with a number of ALTUS Running runners signed up to represent Sailors’ Children’s Society at the London Landmarks Half Marathon, securing charity places for an event where general entry is notoriously difficult to get.

Tom Horner, Founder of ALTUS Running, said: “We wanted to work with a charity that genuinely wanted to build a partnership with us at ALTUS Running and where our members could see the difference their fundraising was making. Sailors’ Children’s Society felt like a great fit.

“ALTUS Running has always been about creating a welcoming running community where people of all abilities can come together. Some of our members run for fun and friendship, while others are constantly looking for their next race or challenge. This partnership gives everyone the opportunity to do something they already love while helping children and families who are going through incredibly difficult times.”

The collaboration will also see the two organisations work together throughout the year to encourage more people to get involved in challenge fundraising, promote opportunities to the wider running community and celebrate the achievements of those taking on events for the Society.

Rhiannon Beeson, Interim CEO of Sailors’ Children’s Society, added: “Tom has built a fantastic community of runners, and from our very first conversation we have felt incredibly welcomed by everyone at ALTUS Running. We already have members signing up for events, which is brilliant to see.

“The partnership works really well for both organisations. We need passionate people who are prepared to take on challenges and fundraise for our families, while ALTUS Running has runners looking for exciting and competitive events to add to their calendars. With everything from local 10Ks and trail runs to half marathons, marathons and some really sought-after events, there should be something for everyone.

“Fundraising is becoming increasingly competitive, so continuing to find new audiences and new ways for people to support us is incredibly important. What I particularly love about this partnership is that it brings together two organisations with big ambitions and a real sense of community. I’m really excited to see what we can achieve together over the next year.”

There will also be a healthy dose of competition. The initial partnership will run for 12 months, with fundraising targets and challenges encouraging ALTUS Running members to see just how much they can collectively raise. The club’s Fundraiser of the Year will also be recognised and celebrated at an ALTUS Running annual event.

The partnership forms part of Sailors’ Children’s Society’s wider strategy to diversify its fundraising income and create more accessible ways for individuals and communities to get involved with the charity.

The charity supports children and families from seafaring backgrounds facing crisis, including bereavement, family breakdown and life-limiting or terminal illness alongside financial hardship. They provide financial, practical and emotional support tailored to each family, helping provide stability when they need it most. Every mile run and every pound raised by the ALTUS Running community will help the Society continue to be there for the next family that needs them.