JTA are hoping to raise money for three charities ©JTA

Jon Tibbs Associates (JTA) has announced a Mad Mid-May Million charity initiative, with 20 employees challenged to collectively exceed one million steps in a week to raise money for charities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Employees at the international relations and communications agency’s UK, Swiss, Spanish and US offices will take part in the challenge.

Funds will be raised for The Hygiene Bank, Football Beyond Borders and CoppaFeel!

Each charity was nominated by a JTA team member and continues to carry out vital community work despite a dramatic decline in donations since the coronavirus crisis began.

The Hygiene Bank is a grassroots charity which aims to ensure that those living in poverty, and who cannot afford to keep themselves clean, have access to the basics.

The lockdown resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has seen many of the charity’s donation drop-off points closed whilst the need for donations is ever expanding as a growing number of people face financial difficulties.

Football Beyond Borders is an education charity that uses football as an engagement tool to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds throughout the United Kingdom.

A Virtual School programme has been set up for the charity during the pandemic due to being unable to deliver face to face sessions.

Breast cancer charity CoppaFeel! aims to create awareness amongst young people, with the aim of instilling the knowledge and tools they need to get to know their bodies.

The coronavirus pandemic has meant that the CoppaFeel! team can no longer deliver their awareness-raising message at their usual locations.

Remaining funds will be donated to two selected charities connected to JTA’s international offices.

“Like everyone else during this crisis, JTA has been eager to support our healthcare and essential workers," said Jon Tibbs, JTA chairman.

“However, as a company, we also wanted to help a number of the community charities that have seen a severe drop in donations.

“The JTA Mad Mid-May Million is our way of doing this.

"It is healthy, relevant, fun and much-needed and is also a collective team effort.

“Not everyone will be able to reach their 50,000+ steps in a week, which means others will have to up their totals so that together we can exceed a million steps.

“Managing director Séverine Townsend and I pledge to do up to 40,000 steps between us on the final day, if needed to get us over the line.

“I hope that the JTA Mad Mid-May Million charity fundraiser will be enjoyed by staff but, more importantly, will make an important contribution to these well-deserving charities."

The challenge will take place from May 8 to 14 with team members involved each trying to complete and exceed an average of 7,260 steps per day.


All completed steps will be digitally logged by team members at the end of each day, with supporting evidence from devices.

An updated daily total will be calculated and published.

JTA has teamed up with Virgin Money Giving to enable JTA clients, suppliers, contacts and friends to donate.

The total number of steps will be announced on May 15 and the total funds raised to date will be announced the following week. 

The logo for the JTA Mad Mid-May Million was designed by Salva Ramirez, managing director of JTA Design, based in Spain.

Donations can be made here