Door firm’s 800-mile charity walk

STAFF at a Derbyshire door distributor raised thousands for a worthy cause when they went for an 822-mile-long walk.

A team from JB Kind challenged themselves to a virtual OutDOOR Walkathon in aid of their chosen charity, Dementia UK.

The challenge was for a team of 25 to walk the equivalent distance from the company’s base in Swadlincote all the way to the UK mainland’s most northerly point: John O’Groats.

But the enthusiastic team made up of JB Kind staff, family and friends smashed their target in more ways than one. The team took part in the virtual walkathon over the course of seven days, clocking up the miles between them. They enjoyed the challenge on the MyVirtualMission app so much they ended up going further around the north coast of Scotland, travelling for 822 miles, an extra 265 on top of the original target of 557!

Not only that, walkers beat their fundraising target of £1,500 and have so far raised over £3,500 (incl gift aid) for Dementia UK.

Managing director James Cadman said: “We’re pleased that our fundraising efforts have gone so well and that we’ve been able to give generously to Dementia UK. Thanks must go to staff members’ personal fundraising efforts, as well as corporate partner donations. It says a lot that during these times people are able to dig deep for a charity that does such great work.”

JB Kind takes on a company charity every two years but in 2021 it is extending its support for Dementia UK for a further year, after the pandemic meant the cancellation of its planned events in 2020.

Through its support for Dementia UK, JB Kind is aiming to help the charity build up their number of Admiral Nurses. Derbyshire currently has one Admiral Nurse based at the University of Derby.