STAFF from a property and energy firm are getting active this month to help raise money for their dedicated charity.

Employees at The Banks Group chose to support The Samaritans right through 2019, and has so far raised around £1,500 by undertaking a range of fundraising activities, including workplace lunches, dress down days, raffles and cake bakes.

A team took part in the gruelling Total Warrior event in the grounds of Bramham Park in Leeds at the weekend, which involved running a 12 kilometre course with 25 punishing obstacles.

At the end of the month, community relations manager Lewis Stokes will be lining up for the Lakeland Trails Ultra 55K race, which starts and finished in Ambleside and takes in a complete circuit of the central Lake District along footpaths and bridleways.

The race route requires competitors to go over three different mountain passes and includes around 7,000 ft of climbs and descents.

Lewis Stokes said: “It’s the second time that a Banks team has taken part in the Total Warrior event, so we know just how tough the course that awaits us will be, but we’re confident that we’ll getting everyone over the line once again by working together all the way round.

“The Lakeland Trails Ultra 55K will be as far as I’ve ever run, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and hope the Lake District’s amazing scenery will be an inspiration.”

The Samaritans provides a safe place for people to talk and reaches more than 500,000 people every year via its free 116 123 phone number, the jo@samaritans.org email service and via outreach work in railway stations, schools, hospitals and businesses.

Sara Ellis, a member of The Banks Group’s charity fundraising committee, added “The Samaritans’ support often makes a life-saving difference in the very darkest moments of people’s lives and we’re proud to be helping such a highly-regarded and important organisation carry out its invaluable work.”

For more information visit www.samaritans.org.uk or @samaritans on Twitter.