3 Peaks Challenge: Fundraising Update
It was cold, it was dark, and there was the faint hum of cattle mooing somewhere in the distance…the scene was set for MERLYN’s 3 Peaks Challenge in Yorkshire!
Our sales and marketing team scaled across varied terrains to defeat the three highest summits in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, completing the 24 mile hike under the 12 hour time limit to raise an astonishing £12,291 for The Pink Ribbon Foundation.
This is the most we have ever raised from a single event for this incredible charity, so a huge thank you to everyone who supported the team and for the many generous donations from customers, friends, family and colleagues.
Our Southern UK Sales Director, Gary Hildrow, had the honour of presenting the cheque to the founder of The Pink Ribbon Foundation, Lisa Allen, at the star-studded PINKLondon22 gala dinner on November 9th in London. The 8th annual foundation party was held at PROUD Embankment to celebrate the end of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the 22nd anniversary of the Foundation supporting those affected by breast cancer. The money raised will fund the vital work of the Pink Ribbon Foundation (www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk), a team that is tirelessly committed to bringing together individuals, charities and organisations to fight this terrible disease.
“The team spirit was amazing, the memories of the day will last forever but the most important thing is that we’ve raised an incredible amount of money and awareness for Pink Ribbon Foundation. The work they do is incredible and if we can help save someone’s life by encouraging them to check regularly for any changes while in the shower, then the sore feet are more than worth it.” - John Stacey - MERLYN’s Regional Sales Manager for North East & West Yorkshire - was part of the fundraising team and commented on the experience.
The Pink Ribbon Foundation is a grant making trust and the donations will be used to support projects and provide financial support to UK charities which relieve the needs of individuals suffering from or who have been affected by breast cancer, or who work to advance the understanding of breast cancer, its early detection and treatment.
One such charity which MERLYN’s fundraising efforts has gone on to support already is the Cois Nore Cancer support centre in Kilkenny. Following a £3,500 donation from MERLYN’s #walkamileinmay fundraiser, the centre has launched a new group to offer essential mental and emotional support for patients. The group is being led by a qualified psychotherapist with a background in oncology nursing - expert, empathetic help right where it’s needed most in the heart of the community.
The essential work that charities like The Pink Ribbon Foundation and Cois Nore do, does not have an expiration date and neither do our fundraising and awareness efforts. Fundraising is an important part of culture and ensures the importance of breast cancer screening stays front of mind for our colleagues, families and wider community.
Eileen Slattery, Marketing Manager at MERLYN, also took part in the challenge; “Teamwork is central to our business, and this was definitely the case on the hike too. The team spirit and words of encouragement were flowing throughout the whole challenge, with everyone supporting each other at different times. This is an ethos that also permeates through our charity partner, only they are facing immeasurably more difficult circumstances than we were! Ultimately, knowing that the money we were raising would be going towards such amazing causes kept us marching on to the top of the third peak - there was never really any doubts about us finishing!”.
MERLYN launched the #Painttitpink campaign in October to get the nation talking about checking their breasts. Read more about our ongoing campaign on our website or visit the Pink Ribbon Foundation to learn more about how you can support this amazing charity https://www.pinkribbonfoundation.org.uk/events.