Best foot forward for Business Challenge
INTEREST in the Great Birmingham Run Business Challenge has soared at The West Brom – with the Building Society entering 12 runners into the UK’s second-biggest half marathon.
Along with the Broad Street finish line on Sunday, October 16, The West Brom’s dynamic dozen also have their sights firmly set on raising money for the Society’s chosen charity for 2016, Teenage Cancer Trust.
The two organisations joined forces earlier this year to help young cancer patients in the West Midlands, including those being treated at specialist Teenage Cancer Trust units at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Northfield.
The Business Challenge aims to find the region’s fittest and fastest firms and is open to small, medium and large businesses.
Trophies will be handed out to winning businesses and any company that enters 12 or more employees will receive its own personalised engraved plaque in the name of the fastest runner in the team.
Companies taking part will also feature in a special magazine featuring all Business Challenge entries.
The West Brom’s PR manager and Business Challenge team coordinator Nick Trueman said: “We’ve had a terrific response from runners across the business who want to take part in this exciting challenge, including colleagues from our branch network and those who work at our West Bromwich head office.
“Some are running their first half marathon, while others are chasing a new personal best time. But one thing we definitely have in common is our determination to raise as much money as we can for Teenage Cancer Trust.
“West Brom staff chose to support this charity ourselves and that means we’re all extremely motivated to play our part and contribute to the Society’s overall fundraising tally. It’s a fantastic cause that makes a genuine difference to young people fighting this terrible disease.”
Nick will be joined by colleagues Chris Bacon, Lucy Bridge, Vickie Morrall, Megan Edwards, Cheryl Graham, Ruth Holyoake, Rachael Jones, Gareth Madeley, Sam Scott, Chris Yates and Matt Yates in taking on the 13.1mile challenge, which is expected to attract 20,000 runners.
Other companies entering the Business Challenge include JW Hinks, Lambert Smith Hampton, Delcam, HSBC and Squire Patton Boggs.
Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24.