THE charity, Crisis, is challenging people to pull on their running shoes this summer and pound the pavements to raise money to help end homelessness.

Spiralling living costs are putting increasing pressure on households across the country, with people already struggling with bills and rent, forced to go without essentials like food to try and keep a roof over their heads.

Crisis, the national homelessness charity, helps people experiencing or at risk of homelessness throughout the year, providing welfare and housing advice and access to health and wellbeing programmes, to help people leave homelessness behind for good.

The Race to End Homelessness is taking place in June with in-person events in London for the first time since the pandemic and a UK-wide virtual event running during June.

The individual race on June 16, in London, will start outside the Tate Modern on London’s Southbank and people can run, or walk if they choose, either 5km or 10km around the capital.

The route is also fully accessible for wheelchair users.

A relay event will take place in the same location on June 9. People can sign-up to run the distance in their own time for the virtual event between June 6 and 19.

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “No-one should be homeless, yet thousands of people across the country are currently experiencing these hardships with no way out, while many others are being pushed to the brink by rising bills and rent.

“The Race to End Homelessness is a perfect way for people up and down the country to get involved and help support people facing or at risk of homelessness and raise vital funds to help end homelessness for good.

“Whether you want to run or walk, take part in the London events, or run in your own time, anyone can join in and doing so will help Crisis to be here for anyone who needs us now and in the future.

“So, dust off your trainers and your workout gear and join our Race to End Homelessness this summer!’

To sign-up visit: www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/fundraise/events/ .