Threatened to be ruined by torrential rain, the company’s annual golf day, held at Leyland Golf Club in August, saw 14 teams brave the weather and get started on the course.
The event was organised by Leyland Trucks’ Helping Hand charity committee, a cohort of dedicated volunteers from the company who have developed a comprehensive calendar of activities aimed at raising as much money as possible for local causes. To date, Helping Hand has raised more than £1m.
Despite best efforts, only seven teams survived the downpours and gales, finishing their round with on-course competitions including nearest the pin and longest drive working to raise extra donations.
The Striped Pig achieved the best individual score with seven birdies and an under-par round, seeing the team take home the winner’s trophy. The day’s competitions, combined with entry fees and raffle contributions, enabled the group to raise £2,500.
This fundraising effort was bolstered by 50 runners from Leyland Trucks and Revolution Running, a local fitness group, who participated in the recent Wigan 10k. Runners who work across the factory floor and offices took part in memory of Craig Talbot, a Leyland Trucks employee who passed away suddenly earlier in 2019.
Matt Kersey, chairman of the Helping Hand committee at Leyland Trucks, commented: “As an organisation, we have always committed ourselves to creating occasions which bring together our customers’, supply chain and employees’ family and friends so we can work together to give back to our local community.
“Though our annual golf day looked set to be ruined by the weather, and the Wigan 10k was tinged with sadness as we remembered our fantastic colleague, Craig, everyone involved still gave 100% of their efforts to ensure the events went ahead with a positive outlook and raised as much money as possible.”
Chris Thomas, material controller at Leyland Trucks and part of the Wigan 10k team, added: “The 10k supports a number of charities and was enjoyed by all – although, some definitely more than others. This was my first 10k, with others to follow I’m sure. Running helps you to clear your mind and the satisfaction of finishing the race was an almost indescribable feeling of accomplishment. Running on behalf of a charity that is directly related to a close work colleague also had an emotional touch towards the end of the race, and it made all the training worthwhile.”
The dedication the runners showed to the run was clear, with three of the runners were winning the ‘Fastest Corporate Team’ prize, gaining them automatic entry into the 2020 10k.
Since the inauguration of Helping Hand, thousands of pounds have been donated to St Catherine’s Hospice. Alison Evans, a member of Revolution Running and manager of the St Catherine’s Hospice shop in Leyland, concluded: “This was another great event for Revolution Running and the Helping Hand charity, with a huge level of support offered from mums and daughters, dads and sons, husbands and wives.
“We all joined together to either run or walk the 10k, but more importantly, to support each other in raising money, which the Helping Hand charity can donate to causes which support local people.”
The Wigan 10k team opted to donate funds raised, which totalled £1,800, to the British Heart Foundation and North West Air Ambulance, in memory of Craig.
Donations are still welcome, and can be made at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wigan10kHelpingHand.
