A team of 18 employees and members of its key Polish product supply partner from Zest, the garden furniture, grow your own and decorative garden structure specialist ran the Manchester Marathon on 3rd April in support of the company’s 2022 chosen charity, the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Not only did the group successfully raise funds towards their £10k goal via sponsorship, but one member of the team, Zest Finance Director, Andrew Baker set a personal best of 03:10:34. Woodworks Garden Centre manager, Iwan Gwyn, running his first ever marathon completed the course in 03.20.23. The runners were also joined by a mystery guest at the start line. Steve Morgan, Zest’s Managing Director ran the marathon as the British Heart Foundation mascot, Mr Hearty, collecting over £500 in buckets along the way – mainly in small change!
Experienced marathon runners such as Zest key account manager, Paul Haynes and Andrew Baker ran alongside marathon novices such as Zest senior digital marketing executive, Thomas Jones as well as P&A Group colleagues from the Woodworks Garden Centre, central services, the Zest warehouse and distribution centre and three members of management from Zest’s key Polish supply partner.
Team member, Denise Matthews from Zest’s finance department said “I’m so pleased to have completed the Manchester Marathon. It was a great atmosphere and the crowds definitely helped to keep spirits high during the 26.2 mile challenge! It was great to see the team in action – and although we’ll be aching tomorrow – I’m so proud of everyone raising so much money for a great cause.”
Steve Morgan added: “How could I not join in the fun? When I saw how many members of staff had signed up to take part, I knew I had to get involved too! It was a fantastic day, and we all feel great to have done it for such a worthwhile charity! I feel very proud of Zest and the fact that so many of us took part. Some were absolute beginners and others chasing personal best times – all in the name of fundraising for BHF. So many people stopped me to donate along the route, the buckets just got heavier!”
Andrew Baker commented, “The best part about it was watching the team come over the finish line – I’m proud of their dedication and determination.” Iwan Gwyn added, “The training was all worthwhile – and I really enjoyed being part of the team.”
Over the last 11 years, Zest and the P&A Group have raised over £100,000 for a variety of charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Meningitis Now.
The British Heart Foundation helps and supports 340,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases in Wales alone. One in four people in the UK and one in three globally die from heart and circulatory diseases. That is why the British Heart Foundation funds world-leading research into their causes, prevention, treatment, and cure. Advances from the charity’s research have saved and improved millions of lives, but heart diseases, stroke, vascular dementia and their risk factors such as diabetes still cause heartbreak on every street. With the public’s support, British Heart Foundation funding will drive new discoveries to end that heartbreak.
It’s not too late to donate and anyone wishing to do so can click the link here.
