Colleagues
at Chemring Countermeasures (CCM UK) pulled together over March to raise vital
funds for a local homeless charity by collectively running or walking a
marathon.
With eight teams and several individual runners, the full length of a marathon (26.2 miles) was divided up and split between the participants. Every runner/walker had the month of March to complete their allocated distance. The Senior Leadership Team had to complete their distance twice over as they were part of the leadership team and their respective department teams.
Every participant was offered a personalised running shirt and preparation guide before the run to help get them ready.
Participants were asked to donate £5 via a JustGiving fundraising page to support Alabare, the chosen charity. The charity, which is local to Salisbury, helps ensure that homeless veterans or those at risk of becoming homeless are kept off the streets. They help those in need to transform their lives, providing accommodation and support to help them build skills, confidence, and opportunities to live a fulfilled life.
After many generous donations, and together with previous fundraising initiatives, the CCM UK team were able to donate a much needed £1,000 to Alabare.
They held an awards event in April to recognise everyone’s contribution. All participants received a thank you bag and medal. Rebecca Mullen, Alabare’s Fundraising & Development Manager, and Richard Lord, Alabare’s Ambassador for Wiltshire, visited CCM UK and handed out the medals by way of a thank you for the donation.
The charity was chosen due to its links with veterans. The challenge was selected to help support colleague health and wellbeing after being in and out of lockdowns for the past year. The feedback from marathon March has been positive and CCM UK are looking to make this an annual fundraising event.