Karndean Designflooring has announced that Richard Allen, VP of Sales for Retail and Commercial, will run 200km from the company’s Evesham headquarters to Shelter’s London head office between 17 –20 March, raising vital funds for Karndean’s charity of the year Shelter, who exist to defend everyone’s right to a safe home.
The multiday ultramarathon launches Karndean’s 2026 fundraising programme, supporting the company’s ambition to raise £25,000 this year, following the impressive £22,000 raised in 2025 through companywide initiatives.
Shelter’s latest figures highlight the severity of the housing emergency across the country, where homeless numbers continue to reach record levels, with at least 350,480 people now homeless in temporary accommodation (TA), most of whom are families with children. This is the highest number of people in TA since records began. Shelter continues to campaign for long lasting change, while their frontline services continue providing direct support to those facing homelessness.
Richard Allen, VP of Sales for Retail and Commercial at Karndean Designflooring, said: “The reality behind the statistics is incredibly stark. Running 200km is nothing compared to what thousands of families are facing without a safe place to call home. I hope this challenge inspires people across the business, and beyond, to support Shelter and help us make a real difference this year.”
Lauren Thompson, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Shelter said: “At Shelter, we are doing everything we can to support those being hit the hardest by the housing emergency. With soaring private rents and a severe shortage of genuinely affordable social housing, more and more families are being pushed to the brink of homelessness.
“We couldn’t carry out this vital work without the support of partners like Karndean Designflooring, and we’re delighted that Richard has chosen to take on this incredible challenge to raise vital funds for Shelter. Thanks to the support of our partners, we will continue doing all we can to fight for people and families on the frontline of the housing emergency.”
Colleagues and retail partners will be supporting Richard along the way by joining sections of the route.
