Many people find it hard to speak openly or ask for help, but talking can be life-saving – whether it’s with a colleague, a family member, friend or a helpline like Samaritans.

Every 10 seconds, Samaritans volunteers respond to a call for help. Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen and support people with whatever they are facing, with no judgement. It’s the public’s kind donations and around 23,000 volunteers that mean Samaritans are always there for anyone struggling to cope.

We are bringing the family business community together in a collective effort as a force for good, to get active which is good for us all personally, and to make a difference to a cause that is important to us personally.

Each and every member of the team is committed to walking, running or cycling the equivalent of 9,260 steps a day which by the time of our annual flagship conference in March 2025 we will have each achieved an incredible 1 million steps!

As Paul Andrews, Founder & CEO of Family Business United explains, "Each year we do something to make a difference and this year wanted it to be a challenge. A group of family business owners wanted to do something together and this lead to the creation of the Million Step Charity Challenge."

"The challenge gets me out and about, off my chair in the office and at the same time will make a difference too."

"We look forward to seeing the cumulative impact that this campaign has when we announce the results in March."

As a founding member of this year’s family business community challenge, I’ve chosen to support the Samaritans.

Every penny donated goes direct to the charity and will help to make a difference.