The charity provides a wide range of services for those who require help, including financial grants, confidential advice and counselling, and legal and work-related support.

The initiative saw 20 people from CSS’ and SDL’s training academies take part in the virtual Route 66 challenge over the course of June, aiming to travel the equivalent length of America’s famed Route 66 through individual walking, running, cycling and swimming.

The teams’ progress was captured using the Strava app and then plotted onto a collaborative Route 66 charity map, with updates being shared across social media. 

Not only were the participants challenging themselves to raise as much as possible for LionHeart, the two businesses also engaged in a friendly competition to see which one could cover the largest distance over the course of the challenge.

While team CSS covered 4,114km, team SDL (pictured above) came out on top with a total distance of 4,218km covered. 

The teams raised £1,206 in sponsorship, which was matched by both CSS and SDL, bringing the final total to £3,618.

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Sarah Chalmers-Stevens, head of professional development at CSS, said: “This was a light-hearted challenge between two firms, which continue to demonstrate their commitment in attracting new talent into the surveying industry. 

“Although SDL just pipped us on the overall distance, it was a brilliant all-round effort from everyone involved and we are incredibly proud of the teamwork and dedication our training academy showed. 

“The real winner here is LionHeart, and we are delighted to have been able to support a charity which is so close to our hearts.”

Adrian Drummond, assistant training and quality care manager at SDL, commented: “It was so pleasing to see the time and effort everyone took in contributing to this challenge and, though we are very pleased that SDL came out on top this time, what is really important is the amount of money both academies have raised for LionHeart, and the excellent work this will help fund. 

“This has always been about the charity and the opportunity to all bond together as a team, as we look at developing the next generation of surveying talent.”

Carolyn McDonald, fundraiser at LionHeart, stated: “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the amazing efforts of everyone who took part in the Route 66 Challenge.

“We rely solely on generous donations from RICS professionals, so donations through fundraising are vital to our work.

“We are delighted that the SDL and CSS challenge raised £3,618 — this will really help us continue to keep making a difference to people at even the most difficult of times.”