How it works
Sign-up for free and run 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) every day for 12 days between 01 December and 05 January, in support of veterans' mental health. All participants who raise over £150 will receive a Combat Stress technical
T-shirt!
Create a team and complete the challenge with colleagues, friends or family, you can even choose to pool your miles - however you wish, this challenge is done your way, it is an event for everyone!
Believe in your 'elf!
The story behind this challenge
"The 12Ks of Christmas was created not only to raise funds, but to raise awareness of this charity who can and do so much to help veterans with mental health needs. I created the concept after battling with my own personal mental health illness. During this time of illness I was admitted to hospital. Whilst there I became acquainted with a veteran solider who had served for 22 years in the Army, he had struggled ever since with PTSD and other mental health problems. Ashamedly, at the time I was unaware of Combat Stress. I look back on this and wish I could have signposted him to the charity for additional support. Whilst I have not seen or heard from this veteran since, not a day goes by when I don't think about the missed opportunity to help him with his recovery. I didn't want this to be the case for anyone else in my position and wanted to do something to raise awareness of such a wonderful charity and raise a few quid whilst doing so - 12Ks of Christmas was born!"
Flt Sgt Simon Lunn
Register
Sign up for free today and you will automatically be set up with a fundraising page on registration. Add a picture and update your story section to let your supporters know what Combat Stress means to you - personalised pages receive more donations!
Go the distance
Run 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) each day for 12 days between 01 December and 05 January. Complete your distance as part of a team or individually. Record your miles manually or by connecting your fitness tracker to your fundraising page.
Raise vital funds
Share your fundraising page to spread the word! Remember to tag @combatstress on your social media posts. Get your colleagues, family and friends to sponsor your challenge and raise vital funds in support of veterans’ mental health.
Rewards
Although there is no fundraising target for this challenge, we encourage participants to think big and do the best they can!
All participants who raise £150 or more will receive a Combat Stress technical T-shirt. Our technical t-shirt is designed for comfort and endurance, they are lightweight and breathable so perfect for this challenge.
More importantly, they're a great way to show your support for veterans' mental health and have been approved by the Combat Stress Veterans Group.
The T-shirt features our logo across the chest, on the arms and down the side panel trim. "For Veterans' Mental Health" and "#teamcombatstress" are printed on the back.
Leaderboards
FAQs
Can I create a Team Fundraising Page?
Yes!
Creating a team fundraising page is a great way to collect funds. Through your Combat Stress fundraising page, you will have the option to create a team fundraising page which members can join.
All team members' individual fundraising efforts will pool into the team fundraising total.
How do I record my miles?
You can connect your fitness tracker (Strava, fitbit, Map My Fitness) to your fundraising page or you can add your miles manually to your fundraising page!
What’s the best way to smash my fundraising target?
Share, share, share! Share your progress, share your photos but more importantly, share your fundraising page. We also have handy pre-written social media posts and emails to make sharing your fundraising page simple. The more you share, the more people will see it and the quicker you’ll reach your fundraising goal! People often need reminding 2 or 3 times before making a donation, so don’t be afraid to shout out about your challenge!
Will I receive a running top?
Anyone who raises £150+ will be sent a Combat Stress branded technical T-shirt. Rewards are sent out weekly and take 5-6 working days to arrive.
Do I have to complete my runs on consecutive days?
Complete your challenge your way. Although we have set the challenge as 12Ks in 12 consecutive days, if you would prefer to spread your runs, that's fine with us! All we ask is that you raise what you can in support of veterans' mental health.
Do I need to provide evidence to Combat Stress that I’ve completed my miles?
No, we trust you! You don’t need to send us evidence to prove you’ve completed the challenge. We do recommend that you update the fitness section on your fundraising page and post on your social media accounts, to let friends and family know how you’re getting on!
We recommend sharing photos and videos of you completing the challenge, we’d love to see as many of your pics and films as possible.
Can I raise money using a sponsorship form?
We’d prefer you to raise money online with Facebook or your regular fundraising page, but if that’s not possible our sponsorship form is available from the resources section of our event page, alternatively email us at challenges@combatstress.org.uk or call 01372 587 140 and we’ll send you one.
How do I pay in any cash or cheques I’ve collected?
You can pay your offline donations into our bank account: Combat Stress / 60-00-01 / 00100013. Please use your surname and 12Ks Christmas as the reference and let us know you’ve made the payment by emailing challenges@combatstress.org.uk
Please remember to post your sponsorship form, with a note stating your name and challenge to:
Combat Stress
Fundraising Department
Tyrwhitt House
Oaklawn Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
KT22 0BX
If you would prefer to pay by cheque, please include that with your sponsorship form and mail it to the address above.
Or you can call the office on 01372 587 140 and make a donation over the phone between 9.30 – 3pm Monday to Friday.
My question’s not been answered in the FAQs?
Please email us your question at challenges@combatstress.org.uk or give us a call on 01372 587 140
Contact us
Thank you for your interest in the 12Ks of Christmas.
We look forward to hearing from you. To get in touch, please contact challenges@combatstress.org.uk.
