Branston is planning to virtually travel around the world in 80 days to support its charities of the year.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the potato supplier had to cancel its fundraising events this year including its annual 100-mile sponsored cycle. However, it will now be taking part in a walking, running, cycling and canoeing challenge with the aim of its team virtually making it around the world in 80 days.
Staff from all its sites will be boosting their fitness and raising funds for Lincolnshire and Nottingham Air Ambulance, Children’s Hospices South West and Rachel House, which is run by Children's Hospices Across Scotland. The challenge will take place from Saturday 8 August to Monday 26 October, with staff aiming to cover more than 300 miles a day.
James Truscott, managing director at Branston, said: “It was really disappointing that we had to cancel our fundraising events this year due to coronavirus. However, we’re delighted that we can still raise money for charities that are local to us by taking part in a virtual challenge instead.
“We’re setting ourselves quite a challenge but it’s important that we all push ourselves to raise even more vital funds as charities across the country need our help more than ever before.”
The virtual challenge was inspired by the fictional voyage undertaken by Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days. The team will be racing against the clock to rack up the miles, aiming to make it all around the equator in a straight line (24,901 miles).
Every year Branston raises funds for a charity of the year at each of its sites and in 2019 it donated £35,000, after various fundraising events and activities, for St Barnabas Hospice, St Margaret’s Hospice and Maggie’s Centre.
Trustcott said Branston hopes to raise at least £16,000 across all three sites this year.
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