Lake District Mighty Hike raises £540,000 for Macmillan

The event, which features a choice of a full or half marathon trek, took place in the scenic Lake District during the weekend of June 15-16.

The walkers who faced the challenging hike were all raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Helen Hancock, challenge events team manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Macmillan Cancer Support is incredibly grateful to the 1,176 people who braved the elements by taking part in the breathtakingly beautiful, but physically challenging Lake District Mighty Hike.

"So far, they've raised an incredible £540,000!

"The thousands of people who are taking part in Macmillan Mighty Hikes this year are part of something very special.

"Every mile hiked and penny raised at a Mighty Hike will help Macmillan to provide vital support for people living with cancer, when they need it most."

The waiting list for the Lake District Mighty Hike 2025 is now open, and for those ready to take on a challenge this calendar year, there are still spots available for other Macmillan Mighty Hikes taking place this summer and autumn.

Of the total funds raised, £342,300 could support Macmillan’s cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan Support Line phone service for one month.

Jeremy Langmead, 58, from Underbarrow near Kendal, right (Image: Supplied)

In this time, the service could handle more than 5,800 calls and web enquiries, and provide a wide range of specialist information concerning side effects, treatment options, living with cancer and coping with grief.

Macmillan’s chief executive officer, Gemma Peters, was herself among the Lake District hikers.

Ms Peters said: "People take part in our Mighty Hikes for so many different reasons and it made me feel proud to walk alongside them on the day.

"Walking with hundreds of other Macmillan hikers through breath-taking scenery and giant cloudscapes of the Lake District was incredible.

"The Mighty Hike was an unforgettable experience, one that I heartily recommend.

"I'll definitely be doing another."

Among the participants was Jeremy Langmead, 58, from Underbarrow near Kendal, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 and is currently receiving cancer treatment.

He was walking alongside close friend Sarah Edmundson, 38, who has secondary breast cancer.

Mr Langmead said: "I was quite nervous about the hike - the weather had been appalling the day before, I’d injured my knee, Sarah was on meds to help with the pain from the cancer that had spread to her pelvis - but as we arrived at the starting line that morning the sun was peering out, the enthusiasm and encouragement of the other hikers and the Macmillan team was infectious, and it all seemed possible.

"After about seven miles we did flag slightly, but were buoyed on by friends, family and other participants.

"The camaraderie on the day was truly uplifting. It was emotional to cross the line and finish.

"So pleased on a personal level to have finished the hike despite the cancer treatment I’m on zapping my energy levels and having a ruptured knee ligament.

"And so grateful and proud of sharing the hike with the superhero that is Sarah.

"It is a day and an achievement that will stay with me for a long time.”

The duo nearly doubled the amount of money raised in the six hours it took to finish the hike, taking the total they raised to £23,000.

Mighty Hikes are a series of one-day fundraising hikes organised by Macmillan in beautiful parts of the UK.

More than 30,000 people participated last year, collectively clocking more than 450,000 miles to raise £11.45 million.

The funds generated through these hikes will enable Macmillan to continue supporting people living with cancer.

To sign up for a hike, visit mightyhikes.macmillan.org.uk.