A 38-strong team from garden furniture, grow your own and decorative garden structure specialist, Zest, and its parent, the P&A Group, has completed a 24-hour charity walk over a1.5-mile lap.
The route took them around head office, the pallets and packing division and the Woodworks Garden Centre in Mold, Flintshire, all in aid of North East Wales Mind, the chosen charity for 2024.
Total miles walked by the team was 325.5 and the money raised via donations and gift aid means Zest is likely to reach its 2024 fundraising target of £10k for the year within a record six months.
The team comprised both locally based employees as well as those who completed the distance remotely, with colleagues as far as Scotland taking part.
Zest’s managing director, Andrew Baker commented: “It was truly inspiring to see so many of our dedicated employees come together to tackle the 24-hour challenge. The willingness to volunteer time exemplifies the strong sense of teamwork that defines our organisation. Whether completing a couple of laps or going above and beyond by walking over twenty miles, (and five team members did!), all efforts are deeply appreciated. I would like to give a special mention to Martin McGrane and Liam Ali, who walked throughout the entire night to ensure the challenge was successfully accomplished. This level of commitment is unbelievable, and the dedication showed is a testament to our team spirit.
“This event showcased shared values and commitment to supporting both our colleagues and the charities that make a difference in our community. It was also a fantastic opportunity to boost our personal fitness and well-being, as spending time in the great outdoors is massively beneficial for mental health. I’m hopeful that the sponsorship raised from this event will bring us within sight of our £10,000 goal for the year for this great cause.
“It’s important to do more to remove the stigma and silence that surrounds mental well-being and make it easy to talk about our mental health, so supporting the work that North East WalesMind does is worth the effort. It was a challenge but extremely worthwhile.”
North East Wales Mind helps people in Flintshire and Wrexham recover from mental health problems and stay emotionally healthy. In addition to telephone counselling and emotional support, the charity offers a range of online services and activities. Their phone lines are open 10am till 4pm each weekday. To donate to North East Wales Mind, click here.
Over the last 14 years, Zest employees have raised over £150,000 for a variety of charities alongside colleagues in the P&A Group. These include Dementia UK, British Heart Foundation, 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.
For further information about Zest’s GYO, decorative and furniture products, visit www.zestoutdoorliving.co.uk.
