Metro’s Lifeline challenge on the Isle of Wight raises over £33,000 for Missing People
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Thousands has been raised for the charity Missing People after a group of hardy fundraisers trekked across the Isle of Wight.
Each year, Metro staff and readers take on a mammoth hike alongside charity workers and supporters as part of our annual Lifeline campaign.
Missing People, which helps the loved ones of those who have vanished, was our chosen charity for 2025.
In the lead-up to this year’s Lifeline challenge, Metro spoke with the families of Matt Bone, Damien Nettles and Luke Durbin about the support they’d received. We also were told the story of Jade Knight, who went missing 50 times as a teenager. More often than not, Missing People was described as a “lifeline” during people’s darkest days.
The Lifeline challenge
This year’s event took place on Saturday May 4th, with the sun shining over the starting point in Chale, a small village near the town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
Fundraisers warmed up to I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by the Proclaimers before the first wave of walkers crossed the start line at 7.30am.
A sea of pink t-shirts, vest tops and hats ensured the Missing People Lifeline team stood out as over 1,700 Ultra Challenge participants made their way along the clifftops.
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Cheerleading came in many forms across the trek.
Local people displays signs of encouragement outside their homes; visitors to the island raised their drinks in solidarity as fundraisers made their way past beer gardens, while shouts of ‘good luck’ came from children through car windows.
While the sunshine was welcome, hot temperatures took their toll, especially at 17km when a steep hill near to Freshwater Bay left some already weary walkers exhausted.
After a steady stroll past the Tennyson Monument and a courtesy glance towards the Isle of Wight’s iconic Needles, trekkers descended to the 26km point on the route by early afternoon. This marked the finish line for some, while other walkers tended to dodgy knees, empty stomachs and stubborn blisters before carrying on through picturesque forests, beachfronts and towns.
As the sun set, the next batch of Lifeline walkers made it to the 53km point at 8pm and celebrated the end to an epic challenge.
This year’s Metro Lifeline challenge
Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK. That means life is lonely, scary and uncertain for 170,000 families every year.
Missing People is the only UK charity dedicated to reconnecting them and their loved ones and that’s why this year Metro is proudly supporting them for our 2025 Lifeline campaign.
As well as raising awareness through articles and sharing stories of those impacted, we are also taking on a 52-106km hike on the beautiful Isle of Wight to help raise vital funds for the charity.
Just £12 buys one hour of helpline support at Missing People, which could help save someone in crisis.
To make a donation, please click here.
For our intrepid group taking on the 106km distance over two days, which included Missing People CEO Jo Youle, there was time for dinner and a few hours sleep before a bright and early start on Sunday to take on another gruelling 53km.
Reflecting on the challenge Jo said every pound raised would be ‘vital’.
She told Metro: ‘From the cliff tops to walking along the seafront we were all walking in solidarity with people missing loved ones – raising awareness and vital funds.
‘Thank you to every single walker and supporter – and to the Metro for walking and championing the cause every step of the way.’
Vital support
By the eve of the Isle of Wight challenge, the Lifeline team had raised an impressive £24,000. As the walk began the next morning and pictures and videos were shared to social media, donations rolled in and our current total now sits at just over £33,000, including Gift Aid.
This year’s Lifeline trek was truly magical,’ said Metro Deputy Editor Claie Wilson. ‘On the day, Metro staff and readers joined forces with the team from Missing People and some of the families they have supported over the years, which made this event all the more poignant.
‘There’s no doubt it was hard work – and I don’t think anyone got away blister-free – but it was so, so worth it. This is what our Lifeline campaign is all about, raising awareness and money. I’m so proud we got to do it for Missing People this year, as they are such a brilliant charity to support.’
The funds raised in this year’s Lifeline challenge will support Missing People’s helpline, support workers and counselling service. Staff who provide this support previously told Metro of the vital difference it can make.
Here are some examples of how the money raised will be used:
– £5 could send life saving messages
– £11 could answer a Helpline call
– £33 could give three families a reassuring call from a Support Worker when they need it the most.