Raising funds for the people of La Palma

In 2021, the Spanish island of La Palma experienced the longest volcanic eruption on record, lasting 85 days, affecting more than 12,000 people and 3,000 houses.

Local residents lost their livelihoods as banana plantations, crops and tourism spots were mostly destroyed, while thousands were made homeless.

Sixteen Barclays colleagues across Spain and Portugal worked with Mensajeros De La Paz (Messengers of Peace) to help locals get back on their feet. They organised a fundraising initiative challenging people to walk, run, or cycle a distance of 47 kilometres, a very symbolic number as it is the length of La Palma measured from north to south. In total, colleagues covered more than 470km collectively.