ABP Southampton tackles 24 Peaks Challenge
15 July 2010
Employees at Associated British Ports (ABP) have never been afraid to take on a difficult challenge to raise money for a worthy cause, and those based at its Port of Southampton are no exception. Following ABP’s success in 2009 as the leading fundraiser for Seafarers UK’s 24 Peaks Challenge, seven teams from across the company are entered this year. Interest at Southampton was so high that the port has entered two teams into the challenge.
This weekend, the 17 and 18 July, Southampton Teams A and B will set out on what has been described as “one of the most demanding mountain-walking events devised as a charity challenge”. The event will see the teams walking up 24 peaks in the Lake District, each one over 2,400 feet, within 24 hours.
Team A – Commercial Director Patrick Walters, Town Quay Manager Lex Bancroft, Engineering Civil Carpenter John Hiscock, and Electronics Engineer Liam Babey – is led by Operations & Security Manager Tom Dynes, with Assistant Marine Advisor William Heaps providing back up in the support vehicle. Tom says: "When I was asked if I wanted to take part in the 24 Peaks Challenge I jumped at the chance - it seemed like a great opportunity to be part of a fantastic event, and at the same time represent ABP Southampton and raise money for an excellent cause. I have been training hard for the last few weeks and now can't wait to get going, fingers crossed the weather will be kind to us!"
Team B is led by Operations & Security Manager Andy Owens, with Senior Project Assistant Will Jeffery, Technical Analyst Rob Chandler, Mechanical Fitter Shane Keenan, and VTSO Carol-Ann Grant driving the support vehicle. Andy says: "I'm very pleased to be part of an event that has grown year on year and has now seen a number of teams from across ABP take part in a great challenge and raise money for such a worthy cause. Part of my training in the build up to this event consisted of a nine-hour walk in Devon during blistering heat - something that I think might be lacking in the Lake District!"
Commodore Barry Bryant, Director General of Seafarers UK says: “We are delighted that ABP Southampton is taking up the 24 Peaks challenge in aid of Seafarers UK. Every penny raised will go towards helping those seafarers and their families who are facing hardship. We are grateful for your support and wish you all the best for what is certainly one of the toughest physical fundraising events in the UK.”
ABP became the leading fundraisers for Seafarers UK’s 2009 event after raising a staggering £38,000, and the Southampton teams are hopeful that, together with their colleagues from around ABP’s 20 other ports and its London Head Office, they will exceed last year’s fundraising effort.
If you would like to donate to either of the Southampton teams, please visit their Just Giving web page:
www.justgiving.co.uk/abpsouthampton
For further information:
Contact: Lindsay Mulholland Communications (ABP)
Telephone: 020 7406 7825
Email: lmulholland@abports.co.uk
Website: www.abports.co.uk
