Logistics company, Gefco UK, has celebrated its 40th anniversary by raising GBP100,000 (US$139,000) for Macmillan Cancer Support, significantly beating its initial target of GBP40,000.
The fundraising comes as part of a 40-mile walk from its Prologis Park headquarters to Rothwell.
Some 136 Gefco employees, partners, along with their friends and family, started the 40-mile walk from Prologis Park on 10 July, with pit-stops at Brinklow Marina and Crick before arriving at Rothwell Town Cricket Club on Sunday.
A combined fundraising effort from the team saw a total of GBP110,000 raised for Macmillan.
Lynne Greaves, a close friend and business partner of the team, who is herself battling with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and being treated by Macmillan nurses, raised more than GBP11,000.
“Macmillan is a charity that’s very close to many of our hearts and we were very touched by their support for an employee and friend of ours, Denise Panter and her family during her fight against cancer last year,” said Gefco UK HR director, Helen Grover. “This walk is in her memory and we’re delighted at the amount we’ve raised.
“We’re immensely proud and grateful for the many, many generous donations we’ve received and the efforts of the entire team to make this event a success. It’s been a difficult past year for many of us and the walk was a welcome opportunity to celebrate our 40th year, reconnect and raise donations for a brilliant cause.”
For her part, Macmillan Senior Relationship Fundraising manager, Ellen Finn, added: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with GEFCO to bring this event to life. They have been so passionate about raising as much money as possible to support people living with cancer, and all their hard work has paid off tremendously.
“We are blown away by their enthusiasm and can’t thank them enough – each and every person who took part in the event or helped to organise it.
“Macmillan have suffered a huge fall in income due to the pandemic, and this phenomenal amount of money will go a long way to providing the vital services that Macmillan funds, at a time when our support is needed more than ever.”
The fundraiser built on the success of the supplier’s Coventry to Paris Cycle challenge in 2018, which saw more than 30 volunteers travel 300 miles, raising GBP50,000 for charity.