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Fund raising

NatWest's Baton Relay Raises Funds for Local Communities

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

This year's baton relay, hosted by NatWest Cymru, features Rhian Owens, a community welfare responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service, who has found volunteering incredibly rewarding. Rhian and her colleagues are using the opportunity to raise funds for vital services in their region, which are under pressure due to funding constraints. The relay is part of NatWest's Go For It Challenge, aiming to raise £200,000 for charities across the UK by 2028. By participating in the relay, Rhian and her colleagues aim to make a real difference in their community.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NatWest Baton Relay is a four-year initiative aimed at raising £200,000 for charities across the UK by 2028.
  • The relay has already raised almost £70,000 in its first year, with participants choosing their own charity or community group to raise money for.
  • Rhian Owens, a community welfare responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service, is participating in the relay to give back to her local community and raise funds for the ambulance service.
  • Rhian will kayak four miles along the impressive Pontcysyllte Aqueduct as part of her leg of the relay, braving fast-flowing water and steep drops.
  • The relay will cover 1,000 miles, visiting 42 branches and 10 offices in the UK, and featuring around 300 colleagues and four Olympians.
  • Participants can choose to walk, wheel, run, cycle, swim, kayak, or sail to complete the relay.
  • NatWest is the official banking partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB, supporting both teams through the Milano-Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Statistics:

  • £200,000: Target fundraising amount for charities across the UK by 2028.
  • £70,000: Amount raised in the first year of the Baton Relay.
  • 1,000 miles: Distance the relay will cover across the UK.
  • 42 branches: Number of branches the relay will visit.
  • 10 offices: Number of offices the relay will visit.
  • 300 colleagues: Number of participants in the relay.
  • 4 Olympians: Number of Olympic athletes participating in the relay.
  • 8 sports: Number of sports represented in the relay.

Sources:

  • (Source: NatWest press release) Rhian Owens, a community welfare responder for the Welsh Ambulance Service, participates in the NatWest Baton Relay to give back to her local community and raise funds for the ambulance service. The relay is part of NatWest's Go For It Challenge, aiming to raise £200,000 for charities across the UK by 2028.
  • (Source: NatWest press release) Jessica Shipman, NatWest Cymru regional board spokesperson, said: "We are incredibly proud of colleagues like Rhian, whose commitment to their local communities truly makes a difference."

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