Hiking 102 miles through the night and within 40 hours in aid of charity is a challenge.
But it’s exactly what staff at the Really Helpful Marketing Company based in Maisemore, Gloucester are doing 11 – 12 June.
Starting at Chipping Campden on the Gloucestershire-Worcestershire border at 4am and trekking in relay format along the Cotswold Way, they plan to finish in Bath at 8pm on Saturday 12.
“As a business, we’ve been pretty lucky compared to many others over the last 12 months or so, so we’ve decided to try and really help those in need by fundraising,” said managing director, Gareth Wood.
“As our ethos at the Really Helpful Marketing Company is to be ‘really helpful’, we wanted to support a local charity whose values were also based on helping people.”
The team of 23 walkers, made-up of staff, family and other supporters are raising funds for Gloucestershire-based charity, Caring for Communities and People (CCP).
CCP tackles the causes and effects of homelessness, family breakdown and exclusion.
CCP CEO Cordell Ray said: “We are delighted that the Really Helpful Marketing Company has chosen to support CCP Charity by taking on the 102-mile Hike to Help. The funds raised will go towards supporting the homeless young people we work with, many experiencing low self-worth, reading and writing difficulties, and who struggle to get into meaningful jobs or go into further education.”
After spending over a year away from the office due to COVID-19, the charity hike is the first time many staff at the Really Helpful Marketing Company will have seen co-workers since March 2020. Some, who joined the company during lockdown, have never met their colleagues.
Wood continued: “I’m proud of how staff have adapted to home-working and dealt with the obstacles the pandemic has put our way, but it’s important for morale to reunite the team. Planning this fundraising event has generated a buzz and given staff something to look forward to. The fact that we can give back to our community at the same time is fantastic.”
A #hiketohelp social media campaign which promotes the fundraising, ensures one lucky Facebook or Twitter user will win a £150 Gloucestershire food hamper.
The team are hoping to raise £10,000 to support CCP’s Accommodation Based Services project. For more information and to support visit: www.justgiving.com/hiketohelp.
For press enquiries please contact: rachel@reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk
