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BGL Trekkers Complete Gruelling South African Charity Challenge

Immediate release: 16 March 2010

23 employees from the BGL Group have successfully completed a demanding charity trek, raising more than £100,000 for the NSPCC. Employees from across the Group's sites in Peterborough, Sunderland and Coventry teamed up to complete a nine-day trek in the Cedarberg Wilderness, near Cape Town.

This was the BGL Group's first ever Charity Trek, conducted in support of its corporate charity, the NSPCC. The nine-day adventure involved hiking 80 km through breathtaking scenery; battling searing heat, steep inclines and rocky terrain. The journey culminated in a trek up Table Mountain, followed by a well-earned party and a visit to some of Cape Town's poorer districts.

Alison O'Malley, from Fusion Peterborough, said: "It was hard. Really hard. The heat was unbelievable, so exhausting, and made some of us sick. Blisters were a problem too, when we took our boots off our feet throbbed for hours! Some days we walked for 12 hours, and when we finished there was one shower between seven people. But it was worth it. The scenery was amazing and we all have some great pictures. We all kept each other going; everybody bonded. Visiting Table Mountain and Cape Town were a real highlight and the perfect way to finish the experience."

The group was selected from more than 120 initial applications from BGL employees. Each trekker's target was to raise £3,000 to earn their place on the trip. The funds were raised via a host of innovative events and stunts, including a 'Fusion's Got Talent' evening, quizzes, leg waxings and head shaves, sponsored silences and a charity auction. The BGL Group made an initial donation of £15,000 to get the team started. The trek team smashed its target, with the total raised equivalent to more than £4,500 per person.

Jon O'Neill, Corporate fundraising manager for the NSPCC said: "This was a mammoth challenge. We've been overwhelmed by the efforts and enthusiasm of the employees at the BGL Group. The funds raised by the team will make a huge difference in enabling the NSPCC to work towards its vision for a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential."

Peterborough sites:

Allen Seldon, Alison O'Malley, Anna-Marie MacDonald, Johanna Beech, Chris Chapman, Jon Sandall, Katie Patterson, Kirsty Harrison, Laura Donaldson, Lee Johnston, Lynsey Neal, Marc Sumner, Rebecca Wakeham, Ursula Gibbs.

Coventry:

Clive Woodcock, Ellie White, James Maltby-Wehner, Joanne Weir, Mark Baker and Rebecca Teasdale.

Sunderland:

Alison Grainger, Andrew Smith and Ruth Hilland.

The trekkers and BGL Group would like to thank the following companies for their support:

Auto Windscreens
Auto Trader
Aviva
Durrants
Equity Red Star
Fortis
GHL Insurance Services
gocompare.com
Groupama Insurances
IGI Insurance
Legal & General
LV
Minster Law
Mobile Doctors
Peterborough Cars
Provident and yes Insurance
Sabre Insurance Company Ltd
Shalimar Gardens restaurant
Sword Ciboodle