Global technology services provider Claranet has completed the first leg of its Leeds 2 Sao Paulo Challenge and has raised £8,239 for charity by travelling a total of 8,611 miles.
To celebrate Claranet’s 25th anniversary, the first part of the challenge saw participants set out on a 5-day cycle from Leeds to London. Additionally, up until the 5 November, Claranet employees participating in the challenge can walk, run cycle, swim, skate, skip, hop or samba to help reach the goal of 12,000 miles – the equivalent to the distance from their Leeds office to the Sao Paulo office in Brazil. The challenge has even seen 25 French participants taking part in the Paris marathon to boost the total miles travelled.
The total fund raised will be donated to charities local to Claranet UK offices; Simon on the Streets, Warrington Wolves Foundation, Hollie Gazzard Trust, Holborn Community Association, and the Fredricks Foundation.
Bruce Simpson, Head of Marketing at Claranet said the company wanted to not only celebrate 25 years of Claranet but also find new ways to connect our people, promote health and wellbeing, and support the communities in which it worked.
“With an increase in home working over the last 18 months and a difficult time for everyone, the Leeds 2 Sao Paulo Challenge is giving our people the chance to work together for the benefit of local charities doing fantastic work around the UK. Whether they’re walking the dog around the block or cycling the length of the UK, everyone’s contribution counts.”
Paul Crozier, Director of Holborn Community Association said: “We are so impressed with Claranet’s efforts to reach out to us as near neighbours in Holborn and fundraise for our charity with their sporting challenge.”
Following the challenge, Claranet will be working with the five local charities over the next year as part of an extended CSR partnership and has also launched a new volunteering programme to enable employees to support the causes they are close to.
Paul Barry-Walsh, Chairman of Fredericks Foundation said: “I think that Claranet’s Leeds 2 Sao Paulo Challenge is wonderful, fun for the staff, great for our charity and good for fitness. A win win all round.”
