Poole firm go extra kilometre for month of charity efforts
STAFF from a commercial washrooms company are going the extra kilometre for a month-long charity initiative.
The team from Poole-based Commercial Washrooms have pledged to complete a combined 1,500km across the month as part of their Active January charity fundraiser.
The team of 22 will rack up the kilometres by walking, running, cycling, rowing and more physical activities, to raise money for local children’s hospice Julia’s House.
People are being encouraged to donate what they can via the JustGiving page, to raise funds for the charity, which was voted in as the charity of the year by the team themselves.
The team has already been getting stuck in, with Becky Prevett, sales and customer services advisor achieving over 278km so far – smashing her 200km target.
Other employees of the family-run firm have taken up popular running programme for beginners, Couch to 5k.
Rebecca Lockyer, customer services advisor and Fleur Yeats, website and marketing coordinator, who have both never run before, are to reach the 5k before the end of the month.
Fleur said: ‘I have also taken up running starting with C25K, which is massive for me as I have never been a runner. I’ve danced my whole life doing ballet, tap, modern and jazz and we always say dancers don’t run! My goal is to be able to do the Bournemouth 10k in October.’
Another team member, project surveyor Lewis Meaden, is planning to do the equivalent of two Olympic triathlons, promising to complete a 3km swim, 80km cycle and 20km run twice over.
When deciding to embark on a charity fundraiser, director Andy Seddon, felt it was important to choose a theme that would also positively benefit the workforce, both physically and mentally.
He said: ‘January is well-known for being a bit of a slow, down month. Lots of people get the January blues and it’s easy to feel a bit low with the short, cold days. We wanted to do something positive that will have a strong focus on wellbeing. It’s a bonus that we get to look after our health while supporting a local charity that makes such a huge difference to lots of families across Dorset.’
The firm will also support Julia’s House throughout the year, with plans to attend the charity’s open day and take part in the Jurassic Coast Trek and Run Bournemouth in the pipeline.
So far it has raised over £300.
People can donate to the fundraiser here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/commercial-washrooms
