Keybury trek out and cheque in for charity
KEYBURY CHARITY CHALLENGE 2016
Personnel from Keighley-based Keybury Fire and Security put their best feet forward to raise around £2,500 for charity. A total of 28 staff and family members, among them directors, managers, engineers and office workers, took part in a 28-mile trek along the Rochdale Canal – with the added obstacle of crossing the Pennines.
The intrepid team set off from the canal basin in the middle of Manchester in the rain. Once out of the city, the view of abandoned shopping trolleys, tyres and rubbish in the canal soon opened out into glorious countryside, with some dramatic views shrouded in mist.
An overnight stop was called to watch England’s opening Euro 2016 football game, but then the walkers were back to it, with more rain to cool the blisters down.
The canal had suffered damage from landslides and floods, so a few detours were needed as they got nearer to the finishing point in Hebden Bridge. However, everyone completed the trek in good spirits and happy – if a little tired – to have raised more funds for good causes.
As always, Keybury’s fund-raising efforts will be split locally and nationally. Half will go to its annual beneficiary, Sue Ryder Manorlands in Oxenhope, the other half to the Stroke Association, which supports individuals and their families who have suffered from a stroke, and promotes research into the condition.
Keybury’s epic annual charity challenges – this was the fourth – have to date raised close to £10,000.
Past challenges were a Leeds-Liverpool Canal cycle in 2013, a combined 500-mile trek along the Pennine Way, taking in one of Yorkshire’s Three Peaks, in 2014, and last year’s ‘Try-Athlon,’ which saw Keybury team members not only again cycle to Leeds and back by the canal and climb Whernside, but also collectively swim the width of the English Channel!
The company’s customers and suppliers, along with relatives and friends of staff, again readily supported the latest fund-raiser. The online donation page remains open for any last minute sponsorship pledges. It is at www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/keybury2016
Keybury’s HR director and event organiser Karen Gee said: “Once more, Team Keybury rose to the charity challenge – well done to all, and our warmest thanks again go to those who gave back-up support and to the many others who so generously came forward with sponsorship or donations in support of these two worthy causes. We will now be donning our thinking caps to see what our next challenge might be in 2017.”