Law firm Gordons is first Northern business to sign up for Marie Curie charity challenge
Thursday 5th January 2012
Yorkshire law firm Gordons has become the first business in the North to sign up for the Marie Curie Great Escape Challenge 2012.
The trailblazing commitment means the firm and its staff will raise thousands of pounds for the leading charity, which supports people with terminal cancer and other illnesses by providing nurses, operating hospices, conducting research and campaigning.
Three teams, each containing four people, from across Gordons’ business will take part in the challenge with each team then raising a minimum of £2,000.
The challenge takes place over a weekend next May at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, and will involve 80 teams hiking, cycling and kayaking, plus tackling 10 team challenges, which will only be revealed at the event. The winning outfit, announced at the concluding awards ceremony, will not necessarily be the fastest or fittest but the group which has worked together and thought on its feet best.
Brian Curran, regional corporate development manager with Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Gordons and hope their lead will now be followed by many other organisations. The challenge aims to build strong teams, develop core business skills and provide networking opportunities.”
Gordons’ Great Escape Challenge entry follows its announcement in September that Marie Curie’s hospice in Maudsley Street, Bradford, was its chosen charity. The firm committed to raising money for the hospice, via various initiatives, during the following 12 months, after it was nominated by an overwhelming number of staff.
John Holden, senior partner, Gordons, said: “We’re delighted to be the first business to sign up for the Great Escape Challenge, as Marie Curie does such important work. Our staff being so willing to participate also shows how attractive this particular initiative is – they think it’s an excellent idea and that taking part will be fun.”
Employing more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, Marie Curie last year helped more than 31,000 terminally ill patients in their own homes and its hospices. The organisation is the UK’s largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
If you have any loose change you can spare we would appreciate your donations to Marie Curie.