4Com raises over £12,000 in 2.6 Challenge for 21 charities!
On Sunday 26th April, 240 members of 4Com staff, family and friends took part in the 2.6 Challenge, with the aim of helping the UK’s charities during these uncertain times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on the charity sector across the UK, with the cancellation of thousands of fundraising events resulting in the loss of billions of pounds of income. Charities are in desperate need of donations to keep their services up and running during a time when they are needed more than ever; as a result, the nationwide 2.6 Challenge was created!
Dean Cartledge, Head of The 4Com Foundation said, “Here at 4Com, we wanted to offer our support to several charities, particularly those local to us. We called upon the community spirit of our employees; even during the lockdown period with staff working from home, they generously stepped up to make The 4Com 2.6 Challenge a huge success!
“Our 2.6 Challenge comprised of 24 teams of 10 people, with each person running or walking 2.6 miles on Sunday 26th April. Each team nominated a charity to be the beneficiary of at least £500 from The 4Com Foundation, with additional bonus donations of £500, £250, and £100 for the top 3 fastest teams!”
Dean continued, “I’m thrilled that we had 240 people taking up this challenge. Even if it’s not usually what everyone does in their spare time, we are all mindful of the funds The 4Com Foundation will be releasing to charities in their hour of need.”
The following charities were nominated by staff as beneficiaries of The 4Com 2.6 Challenge:
· DAWG Dogs
· Bournemouth Hospital Charity
· Poole Hospital Charity
· NHS Charities Together
· MYTime Young Carers
· Dorset Mind
· Bournemouth Foodbank
· Friends of The Elderly
· Ashley’s Birthday Bank
· Waggy Tails Rescue
· Gully’s Place Trust Fund
· Hope For Food
· NSPCC
· Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
· Cystic Fibrosis Trust
· Hope and Home For Children
· Age UK Bournemouth
· BCHA
· Margaret Green Animal Rescue
· Rushton Dog Rescue
· Colorectal Ward at Bournemouth Hospital
The total distance completed by each team was equal to a full 26-mile marathon in homage to the 40th Virgin Money London Marathon which should have been taking place that same day. The virtual starting pistol sounded at 10:00AM and just a short while later our teams had achieved the incredible accomplishment of running 24 marathons between them!
Zoe Nicholson, Community Fundraiser at Poole Hospital Charity, said, “We are grateful to 4Com, their staff and families for taking up the 2.6 Challenge and choosing to support Poole Hospital Charity and Gully’s Place Trust Fund whilst doing it. The money raised for Poole Hospital Charity will go towards purchasing services and equipment for Poole Hospital, over and above what the NHS provide, that will benefit staff, patients, and their loved ones.” She continued, “Gully’s Place is part of the Children’s Unit at Poole Hospital and money raised supports children and young people with life-limiting conditions from the point of diagnosis, to care in hospital, at home and within the community. We hope everyone had fun doing their 2.6 miles on Sunday – it really is wonderful seeing so many people take part!”
Krista Cartlidge, Executive Director at MYTime Young Carers, said, “Thank you so much for helping us. It’s been tough for so many people lately and we’re so grateful to be a nominated charity for the 4Com 2.6 Challenge! The money will be going towards a huge party for our young carers when it’s safe to do so. They are having a difficult time right now and need something to look forward to – thank you again, 4Com.”
4Com staff also had a fantastic time taking part in the 2.6 challenge. During these difficult times amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a fantastic opportunity to turn our daily exercise into something positive. 4Com employee, Tiffany, said, “I just wanted to say thank you for organising this… I’m hoping this will be the start of getting back to my running!”
Charity work is a central theme to everything we do here at 4Com, with over £250,000 donated to local and national charities since 2014. In recent weeks the Foundation has also sourced and funded much-needed equipment for NHS Trusts in Bournemouth and Gloucestershire.
https://www.4com.co.uk/about-us/4com-foundation/