The Fine & Country Foundation

11/05/2026

We are gearing up for the return of one of our most inspiring global initiatives: the Around the World in 80 Days Challenge 🌎

Launching this Wednesday, 13th May, this ambitious fundraising effort is simple but impactful – participants will work together to travel a combined distance of 40,070 kilometres over 80 days, the equivalent of circumnavigating the Earth. Whether walking, running, cycling, or swimming, every mile logged contributes to the overall goal and helps raise vital funds for those affected by homelessness and poverty.

Participants will track their progress using a fitness app, complete with a live leaderboard that adds a friendly competitive edge. It’s not just about individual achievement, it’s about collective impact.

Find out more and show your support: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/news/around-the-world-in-80-days-a-global-challenge-making-a-real-difference/

The Fine & Country Foundation is gearing up for the return of one of its most inspiring global initiatives: the Around the World in 80 Days Challenge. Launching on Wednesday 13 May 2026, this ambitious fundraising effort follows the success of its 2022 campaign and promises to bring together people....

08/05/2026

This week, Claire Grain, Secretary of The Fine & Country Foundation, was delighted to visit Wintercomfort in Cambridge, the city’s only year-round support centre for people who are sleeping rough, vulnerably housed, sofa surfing, or staying in temporary accommodation.

Since 1991, Wintercomfort has provided vital support to people experiencing homelessness, offering essential services including hot meals, showers, laundry facilities and clothing, alongside housing advice, counselling, addiction support, employment and training opportunities, money and debt advice, and dedicated services for women facing homelessness.

The charity also continues to expand its outreach work across the city, helping more people access the support they need in a safe and welcoming environment.

Claire says: "It was clear to see the passion and dedication of the incredible team behind the scenes, all working tirelessly to help individuals address immediate needs, secure accommodation, and work towards long-term stability and wellbeing."

She continues: "The Fine & Country Foundation has proudly supported Wintercomfort for over 15 years through donations raised from our annual Carol Concert each December. With the charity needing to raise an incredible £1 million each year to continue delivering these essential services, ongoing support has never been more important."

Over the last 12 months alone, Wintercomfort has supported more than 800 people in crisis ❤️

07/05/2026

Tom Carter, Director of Fine & Country North Wales, is set to embark on an ambitious endurance challenge this weekend as he joins six fellow participants in a ‘Cross Wales Walk’ to raise funds for The Fine & Country Foundation.

The group will take on a demanding 47-mile route, beginning at the Shropshire/Powys border and finishing in Aberystwyth. Setting off at 4:30am on Saturday, 9 May, the team aims to complete the entire distance by nightfall, pushing their physical limits in support of a worthy cause.

The walk follows closely on the heels of the recent Fine & Country Dragon Relay, which saw Tom and other Welsh licensees transport ‘Franco the Dragon’ across Wales in a creative and collaborative fundraising effort. Undeterred by that challenge, and motivated to maintain momentum, Tom is once again lacing up his hiking boots to make a difference. Find out more in our latest blog.

Tom Carter, Director of Fine & Country North Wales, is set to embark on an ambitious endurance challenge this weekend as he joins six fellow participants in a ‘Cross Wales Walk’ to raise funds for The Fine & Country Foundation. The group will take on a demanding 47-mile route, beginning at the S...

30/04/2026

We’re going around the world in 80 Days! 🌍

From 13th May 2026, the Fine & Country network (plus friends, family and local communities) is taking on 40,070 km in 80 days—the distance around the world.

Around the World in 80 Days Challenge: walk it, run it, cycle it or swim it—however you move, it all counts (and so does every donation).

Want to help? Donate via our JustGiving page and cheer us on as we rack up the miles. We’ll track every kilometre on a fitness app, with a leaderboard for a bit of friendly competition.

Find out more and donate: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/news/around-the-world-in-80-days-a-global-challenge-making-a-real-difference/

24/04/2026

Just £300 to go until we hit our target!

As Franco nears his final destination in Tenby, who’s going to help us reach that magic number tonight? 🐉

Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dragonrelay

Today, Franco has been enjoying his time with the Fine & Country Swansea team on the final leg of his journey… although it looks like those little dragon legs are feeling it now – he’s hitched a ride in a backpack to the finish line! 🎒

Let’s get him there in style...

24/04/2026

We are so close to our target! Please keep donating: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dragonrelay?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Franco stayed behind in the Chepstow office earlier this week, while his green cousin went out for the day with the team!

Abbie Young told us; "When we got to Chepstow the jetty was locked and the water had dropped so we couldn’t get off. We had to clamber up mud, rocks and landed in Travis Perkins builders merchants. They rescued us and helped pull the boats up afterwards. We were literally caked in mud and caused quite a commotion rocking up to the local pub caked in mud afterwards. All good fun!"

That has got to be worth an extra donation! Keep supporting our Welsh team here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dragonrelay?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

23/04/2026

Franco has been busy ticking off a few adventures this week – all the things a dragon loves most 🐲

Scaling the 13th-century Medieval Town Arch ✅
Exploring Chepstow Castle – the oldest castle in Wales ✅
Braving the dungeon at Caldicot Castle ✅
Hiking the coastline past the iconic Severn crossings ✅

Today, Franco journeys from Cardiff to Swansea, before reaching his final destination tomorrow in Tenby.

Every step of the journey is in support of The Fine & Country Foundation, helping to tackle homelessness and poverty—causes that remain as urgent as ever.

If you’d like to support Franco’s journey, you can donate here:https://www.justgiving.com/team/dragonrelay?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

22/04/2026

We recently supported All People All Places Night Shelter, nominated by Fine & Country Barnet, Totteridge & Hadley Wood in our Foundation Grants. It was a pleasure to see where some of this funding goes in their latest communication!

All People All Places (APAP) is a small, locally focused homelessness charity working in the London Boroughs of Enfield and Haringey. Established in 2010 as a winter night shelter responding directly to rough sleeping locally, since then their services have grown and developed, and are now an integral part of of the local homelessness response and prevention provision. They currently run two main services, the Enfield Day Centre and a small night shelter provision focused on supporting rough sleepers in Enfield.

Find out more: https://www.fineandcountryfoundation.com/foundation-grants/the-fine-country-foundation-supports-37-charities-in-its-autumn-grant-scheme/

20/04/2026

After a busy first leg of his nationwide journey, Franco the Dragon decided to embrace a slightly slower pace over the weekend, and who could blame him?

Swapping relay routes for relaxation, Franco spent a well-earned break with the Fine & Country West Wales team, soaking up the spring sunshine in style. Think less “dragon on a mission” and more “dragon on holiday” — lounging poolside, sipping champagne, and taking in the beautiful surroundings of West Wales.

Of course, even during his downtime, Franco remains at the heart of something much bigger. The Dragon Relay continues to make its way across Wales in support of The Fine & Country Foundation, raising vital funds to combat homelessness and poverty. Every stop, every handover, and yes — even every moment of relaxation — helps keep the momentum (and spirits) high.

Refreshed, recharged, and perhaps just a little sun-kissed, Franco will be ready to continue his journey this week as the relay picks up once again.

Because even dragons need a weekend off. 🐉🥂

Keep donating here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/dragonrelay?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL