Help the Hungry: Marathons and piggyback challenges help The Independent raise £3.7m

One chef has jogged three-and-a-half miles every day in pink flamingo suit to raise money for The Felix Project

Challenge: Beth Hampson gives a piggy-back (Beth Hampson)

From running four marathons in as many weeks in a flamingo costume to piggybacking an NHS worker around their garden – people across London are coming up with creative ways to support our appeal partner, The Felix Project.

Fred Smith, 38, from Clapham, has been jogging about three-and-a-half miles a day in a pink flamingo suit. The chef, titled “Head of Beef” at Flat Iron Steak restaurants in London, wanted to do something different to raise funds for the capital’s biggest food surplus distributor.

He settled on committing to run every day throughout May to complete four marathons in the suit. “It’s a ridiculous outfit but it has its advantages,” he said. “Before I reached the end of my street on my first run I came across someone who gave me a huge smile and it emboldened me to keep going. When I hit Clapham South Road a bus driver honked. I’m touched by how local people have supported me.”

Fred initially hoped to raise £1,000 but has already doubled his target. Flat Iron Steak has worked with Felix in the past, providing them with surplus food.

Premium workspace provider The Argyll Club has invited its employees to travel the length of the equator from its workplace in Westminster and back again. Inspired by Colonel Tom Moore, they are supporting The Felix Project and NHS Charities Together.

Their employees, families and friends aim to walk, hop, skip, run or cycle a total of 24,888 miles before the end of the month.

Argyll Club chief executive Jean-Michel Orieux said: “We wanted to support and celebrate the city’s amazing frontline workers. The team have put in a fantastic effort, already reaching the equivalent of Cairo.”

Commercial director Beth Hampson added: “We’re all in awe of these charities who work day and night to support others.”

Fred Smith on his daily three-mile run dressed as a flamingo (Nigel Howard)

Comedian Jack Whitehall continued his endorsement of our appeal by launching a Stay at Home Burger Battle on his food blog, Foodslut. People were challenged to design their own burger.

A celebrity judging panel headed by the Bad Education star with Gregg Wallace, Candice Brown, Adam Richman and Adebayo Akinfenwa, ranked Lawrence Evans as the winner out of more than 200 entries, impressing with his barbecued Wagyu beef, maple-glazed streaky bacon, caramelised white onions, smoked paprika mayonnaise in a brioche bun.

The competition raised £5,000. Whitehall said: “I recently volunteered with The Felix Project and saw first hand how great the need is.”

Winning burger display from Lawrence Evans (Lawrence Evans)

Other donations received include £10,000 from Pom Harrington, owner of Peter Harrington Rare Books of Chelsea and Mayfair, who said: “Seeing the number of families affected with food shortages in London due to Covid-19 is distressing. We are proud to support The Independent’s initiative.”

Our appeal has raised £3.7m and has set a target of £10m to help Felix feed the hungry across the capital over three years.

The Independent is encouraging readers to help groups that are trying to feed the hungry across the country – find out how you can help here. Follow this link to donate to our campaign in London, in partnership with the Evening Standard.