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Grief can feel like a mountain for anybody, but especially for children and young people who are navigating growing up with that grief. That’s why insurance company giants MetLife and Reassured joined forces to give hope to grieving kids by taking on the mighty Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge this weekend, battling bad weather to boot! The companies have raised an incredible £35k
Combining forces, employees from insurance providers and protectors MetLife and Reassured formed a team of more than 70 people to raise more than £35,000 for the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish.
A popular if not vigorous challenge, the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a stunning reminder of the obstacles that countless bereaved young people face every day as they grow up without their special person.
It is estimated that every twenty minutes a young person is told that their parent has died and that figure doesn’t highlight how many children or young adults are coping with the death of a friend, sibling, relative or another significant individual in their lives.
As insurance powerhouses in the sector, both Reassured and MetLife are keenly aware of the devastating challenges bereavement can wreak on a family when somebody sadly dies or is given a terminal diagnosis.
Founded in 1868, MetLife, Inc. is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Andy Nibloe, Head of Compliance at MetLife UK, and Exec Sponsor of the MetLife Makes a Difference Committee, said: “The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge was not just a true test of endurance, but also a celebration of our purpose. As Sponsor of the MetLife Makes a Difference initiative in the UK, I’ve seen firsthand how passionate our people are about giving back.
“Supporting Winston’s Wish means helping children navigate the toughest moments of their lives - and that’s a cause worth every step we took. This very physical challenge was suggested by our CEO Dominic Grinstead, and was supported by our entire Executive team, most of whom took part in the walk. I am extremely proud of everyone who took part and all those who worked behind the scenes to make it happen. We were also joined by our partners at Reassured, which gave us even more strength in numbers."
"Reassured is an award-winning, FCA-regulated life insurance broker. As the UK’s largest life insurance broker, the business specialises in arranging life insurance for people across the country and has helped protect over 1 million families. Reassured Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder, Laura Benton, who took part in the challenge, said: “This is a charity that is close to my heart. The work they do with bereaved children and the people who care for them is invaluable. We are proud to have them as our charity partner and to support them.”
Winston’s Wish is appreciative to receive ongoing support from both companies as their chosen charity. Employees from both organisations regularly lace up their boots and roll up their sleeves to get involved in incredible sponsored challenges to raise both funds and awareness of the charity’s bereavement services.
Louisa Hancox, Corporate Partners Manager, comments: “We are thrilled and beyond thankful to see two incredible powerhouses in the insurance sector come together and unite to give hope to grieving children.
“We have enjoyed good relationships with both MetLife and Reassured and we are thrilled to see employees and senior personnel from both companies join together in our mission to ensure that no child is left to grieve alone.
“Last year alone, the charity supported and directly impacted the lives of more than 95,000 children and young people. Year on year we see significant increases in people accessing our services, and we are incredibly grateful to have the support from MetLife and Reassured to meet this growing demand.”
The determined hikers began their challenge in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, heading to the sizeable PenyGhent (694 m) before continuing to Whernside (736 m),and finally tackling Ingleborough (723 m), taking roughly 25 miles of uphill terrain in their stride throughout the day.
Winston’s Wish would like to thank the more than 70 hikers who took on the Yorkshire Three Peaks to help give hope to the UK’s grieving young people. To add your support to the sponsored walk, please visit the Winston’s Wish website.
Winston’s Wish is keen to reassure bereaved young people and their families that they are welcome to chat online, email or call for free to speak to a bereavement support worker by calling 08088 020 021, emailing ask@winstonswish.org or using the live chat at winstonswish.org. Young people aged 13 and older can text or WhatsApp 07418341800.
All Images: MetLife/Reasurred
