Entries open for LionHeart 'HQ Hop'
Entries have opened for this year’s summer LionHeart fundraiser, organised by our friends and partners at SDL Surveying.
What began as a fun head-to-head challenge between trainee surveyors at SDL and Countrywide Surveying Services in June 2022 has grown bigger and better every year.
Last year, during our 125th anniversary year, more than 80 teams of three signed up for the month-long fun competition again organised by SDL. It was hoped teams would cover 125 kilometres (or miles, depending on the mode of transport!) and each raise £125, with a target of £5,000. In fact, the teams covered an incredible collective 17,500 miles and raised over £20,000 from a combination of individual sponsorship, corporate match funding and Gift Aid.
This year, it’s hoped even more people from across the surveying community will get involved - with the chance to be matched in a virtual team with participants near you, to encourage networking, support and a simple way for sole traders and small firms to get involved in the fun.
The virtual challenge will see participants ‘travel’ between RICS headquarters in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, along with LionHeart’s office in Birmingham, with achievable daily mileage targets and a bit of friendly competition along the way.
Adrian Drummond MRICS, head of academy services at SDL Surveying and one of the main organisers, said: “I'm very excited to announce the LionHeart Hop fundraiser virtual challenge this June. People can sign up as an individual or team, improve their physical and mental health, and support our fantastic charity at the same time! It’s open to everyone - sole traders, corporate firms, students, support staff, and even family members, so we really hope to make it bigger and better than ever.”
Lucy Wright, LionHeart’s corporate partnerships & fundraising executive, said: “We can’t wait for the HQ Hop to get underway and are so grateful to our supporters at SDL for once again being the driving force behind this challenge that brings the surveying community together to support their charity.
“Fundraising like this really does make a huge difference to LionHeart and how we are able to support surveyors and their families. We can’t wait to follow the activity on social media and some of the LionHeart team will also be joining in the fun. Thank you to all concerned!”
How It Works:
- JUNE 2025: A virtual fitness fundraising event taking place over the month of June 2025
- Join as an individual and be placed in a virtual team with participants near you - share progress, network, and even meet up if you like!
- Enter with your company, colleagues, or friends and take on the challenge together.
- Track your team's progress as you “travel” between key RICS and LionHeart locations across the UK.
- Compete or complete at your own pace - whether you’re in it to win or just to better yourself, every step counts!
Choose Your Challenge:
- Walkers & Wheelchair Users: Start at RICS HQ in the historic Scottish capital, Edinburgh, and finish at LionHeart HQ in Birmingham (281 miles = 0.94 miles per day per person)
- Runners & Racing Wheelchair Users: Begin at Edinburgh RICS HQ and complete your journey at the iconic RICS Global HQ in London (379 miles = 1.26 miles per day per day per person ).
- Cyclists: Take on the ultimate route! Starting in Belfast, hop on the ferry, cross Scotland to RICS Edinburgh, England, and Wales, visiting Cardiff RICS HQ en route before finishing in London (782 miles = 2.61 miles per day per day per person)
- Mixed: Walk, run, wheelchair or cycle your way to victory! Begin at Edinburgh RICS HQ before venturing south though England, hopping the border over to Cardiff HQ, before heading east to the nation’s capital and RICS HQ (509 miles = 1.7 miles per day per day per person)
See the full instructions here
Watch Adrian's explainer video below!
