New Mersey Cares Fundraising Challenges added for 2026!
5 May 2026
Tough Mudder 2026, Inflatable Obstacle Challenge and the UK's highest regular Bungee Jump!
We’re so excited to share that we’ve added a new selection of fundraising challenges to our Mersey Cares challenge portfolio – offering people who would like to support us through fundraising even more choice of how they want to make it happen!
New events include team challenges with FUN at the core – as well as offerings for thrill seekers who want to tick off a bucket list challenge in the name of making a difference.
Want to know more – here’s a snapshot below! Which will you choose?
New Events for 2026
Tough Mudder Challenge 2026
Are you and your friends or colleagues ready to get muddy for Mersey Cares?! This ever-popular ultimate obstacle course challenge takes place in October and now has 12+ obstacles over a 5 Kilometre run, and 20+ obstacles over the 15 Kilometre run.
There is no competition and no timing -- it’s just you, your teammates and muddy strangers working together to conquer the course and earn the world-famous orange headband!
Challenge details:
Choose 5k or 15k.
Saturday 10th October or Sunday 11th October 2026.
This is another exciting one – that will have you in fits of giggles along the way and will suit a range of abilities – and we have it available at a discounted rate if you’re doing it for Mersey Cares! The Inflatable 5k Obstacle Course is coming to Cheshire on Saturday 18th July 2026 with BIGGER, BOUNCIER and BETTER obstacles than ever before! You'll be jumping, sliding and laughing all the way to the finish line. A great one for friends, family and work colleagues – or come and brave the bounce on your own!
The Jubilee Bridge 10k and Half Marathon are closed road, road races which will start and finish over the Silver Jubilee Bridge – the Grade II listed bridge that runs between Widnes and Runcorn and goes over the River Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal.
If you’re local to Halton and would like to help raise funds to support Mental Health and Community Services like those we support across the region – please say ‘yes’ and pop your trainers on to make a difference!
Calling all thrill-seekers! This is a great opportunity to tick off a bucket-list challenge and pushing yourself to something beyond your comfort zone in the name of helping others. The 300ft bungee is the highest regular jump you will find anywhere in the UK and is available at Tatton Park in July and October 2026. Take in the stunning landscape of the Cheshire countryside – and tell us what you can see!
Challenge details:
July 11 or 12 or October 3, 2026
Location: Tatton Park
Cost: The Bungee Jump is subsidised to be just £30 per participant (minimum sponsorship £250)
Alton Towers 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Juniors race!
Last year we advertised the 10k event but this year we’re offering all distances – including a super-fun juniors race!
This fabulous event combines fundraising for a good cause with a day out at the UK’s favourite theme park with ride access included in the cost of your sign up fee! The races all start and finish amongst the rides and take you on a route around the Alton Towers estate – set in stunning Staffordshire countryside.
All races for Mersey Cares are subsidised at just £20 per participant (with a minimum sponsorship of £150) – offering great value for money.
Help us celebrate 78 years of the NHS and 25 years of Mersey Cares by hosting an NHS Big Tea event this July!
By getting involved, you’ll be helping to raise vital funds that make a real difference to our mental health and community services. Your support helps bring important projects to life – from transforming therapeutic gardens, funding support groups and inclusive sports sessions, to providing resources for children’s therapy and enhancing support for people living with dementia.
Whether you get together at home, at school, in the office, or in your local community, there are so many ways to raise money at an NHS Big Tea.
Challenge details:
Tea parties can be held on 5 July (the NHS's actual birthday) or any day either side (29 June 2026 to 10 July 2026)
Our flagship event is back for 2026 – this time later in the year to coincide with International Day of Charity – celebrating all we do and our support of Mersey Care mental health and community services.
To mark the 25th anniversary of Mersey Care we want to try and make it our biggest event ever – with 25 hikers signing up for the challenge (we had 24 in 2024!).
This historic route takes around 12 hours to complete and guides you through the breathtaking scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. You’ll be supported every step of the way by Overlimits – an experienced team who will help you prepare for the challenge and lead you on the day, walking alongside you throughout the entire route.
A great challenge to push yourself to achieve something amazing – and support life enhancing projects across Cheshire and Merseyside too.
