Staff at Wales & West Housing Group gear up for a 3,000-mile challenge to raise cash for Mind Cymru
Throughout August staff and Board members at Wales & West Housing and its Group companies Cambria Maintenance Services and Castell Ventures are being challenged to clock up a collective 3,000 miles of activity.
The organisation, which has offices in Cardiff, Newcastle Emlyn and Ewloe, created the Big 3 Challenge fundraising initiative and invited staff, who were mostly working from their homes, to set themselves a challenge based around the number 3. The fundraiser aims to generate vital funds for the charity Mind Cymru, which staff voted as their chosen charity to support for the next two years.
Some of the challenges individuals and small groups of staff have pledged or completed so far include:
Teaching their pet Border Terrier 3 new agility tricks in 3 weeks
Planting 3 trees Loading 333 bales of hay
Knitting 3 bears in 3 weeks
Baking 33 cupcakes
Trying 3 new recipes in 3 weeks
Running, walking and cycling 333 miles a week for 3 weeks and 300 miles in one weekend.
Running, walking and cycling 300 miles in one weekend.
Walking 3 times around Caerphilly Castle 3 times a week for 3 weeks
Taking 30 photos of life during shielding
So far around 30 staff members have signed up to take part in the 3,000-mile challenge and will record their activities through the Strava app.
Group Chief Executive Anne Hinchey said: “In the current situation charities have really struggled to maintain their fundraising and many events have been cancelled.
“Our staff had committed to fundraising for Mind Cymru for the next two years. We have postponed many of our usual fundraising events including a Welsh Three Peaks Challenge and lots of office-based events such as dress down days, raffles and bake sales.
“We felt it was important to be able to do something to keep our fundraising efforts for Mind Cymru going despite the restrictions. The Big 3 Challenge is bringing staff together, no matter where they live, with one goal to raise £3,000.”
“I want to say well done to everyone taking part, they are all helping towards our goal to making a difference in many different ways.”
Lucy Lloyd, Senior Community Fundraising Officer at Mind Cymru said: “I’m so proud of all the staff at Wales & West Housing for continuing with their fundraising efforts to support Mind Cymru at this challenging time. The Big 3 Challenge is a fantastic initiative to keep staff engaged and virtually fundraise. I love seeing the updates and pictures of everyone’s 3 challenges on Justgiving. Thank you so much and well done!
“We’re an unstoppable community of people in Wales who won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. The money you raise will make all the difference.”
A JustGiving page has been set up for the Big 3 Challenge https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wwha-wales-west-housing
