Charitable colleagues help raise over £61,000 for charity

Jan. 17, 2013 - PRLog -- Teams from Care UK made donations to charities including the British Stammering Association, Cancer Research UK, Children in Need, Diabetes UK, Help for Heroes, Leukaemia Care and the Veterans Charity.

Simon Jones, a behaviour expert who provides support to Care UK learning disability teams across England and Scotland, participated in the Forces March – one of the UK’s top endurance events. He ran five marathons in five days, clocking up an amazing 132 miles between Ilfracombe in Devon and Bulford in Wiltshire. Tackling hilly terrain in what Simon described as “scorching” temperatures meant by the third day he felt mentally and physically exhausted. But, motivated by the group he was running with, Simon was thrilled to cross the finish line and raise £1,660 for the Veterans Charity.

Ron Hoile, medical director and surgeon at Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre in Gillingham, organised an art exhibition featuring his own work, which raised £3,050 for Leukaemia Care. Ron hadn’t painted since the 1960s, but started again in 2001. He voluntarily holds weekly art workshops for his colleagues at the treatment centre, who have also raised money for Children in Need by auctioning some of their work.

Sarah Johnson, a policy manager based at Connaught House in Colchester, completed a 10-day coast-to-coast jungle trek and white-water rafting adventure across Costa Rica to raise £4,100 for Help for Heroes. Her fundraising trip took her through dense rainforests, to the foot of smoking volcanoes and onto beautiful tropical beaches.

John White, a human resources advisor based at Hawker House in Reading, took part in the gruelling three peaks challenge to help raise £8,500 for three charities which support UK servicemen and women. Starting at Ben Nevis, John and his fellow challengers climbed to the summit of the three highest peaks in England Scotland and Wales in 23 hours and 21 minutes.

Care UK colleagues also cycled 200 miles across Holland, ran marathons and half-marathons in London, Reading and Brighton, bravely completed a 10,000 feet tandem skydive and organised baking competitions, fireworks displays, raffles and a variety show. The organisation’s Working with the Community initiative matched the initial money raised to double the amount received by each charity, up to a maximum contribution of £1,000.

Set up in 2008, Working with the Community supports the hundreds of Care UK colleagues who take part in fundraising and each year provides up to £25,000 of match funding for charitable work. During the past four years Working with the Community has contributed over £81,000 of match funding to more than 100 local and national charities.

Mike Parish, chief executive, Care UK, said: “It never ceases to amaze me how much hard work and dedication my colleagues put into raising money for charity. I am incredibly proud of their efforts, whether it involved a physical challenge, organising an event or showcasing a special talent.

“Our Working with the Community initiative means we can say thank you and well done to colleagues who are completing these amazing fundraising activities and put a little something back into the communities in which we run services.”