Last week (Friday, 5 September), twelve employees from Braintree District Council took part in the Public Sector Challenge, raising £2,573 for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation
The challenge itself was a demanding hike through the Peak District, with participants tackling either an 8 mile, 18.5 mile route or a more gruelling 26 mile trek, climbing to an ascent of around 5,400 feet.
The team at Braintree joined 800 participants from other public sector organisations and businesses, collectively raising nearly £100,000 - bringing the total raised since 2023 to £331,000.
The fundraising efforts locally included a raffle, cake sale, silent auction and individual contributions. Corporate sponsors - Profitable Sites, e-shot, Zak Alexander Ltd and Sharpe Pritchard LLP – made generous contributions towards the cost of the entrance fee. Several local businesses, including Chelmsford City Racecourse, East Anglian Railway Museum, The Booking Hall Café, Café Plaza, The Institute Braintree, Something Scrummy, Tesco (Great Notley), and Hedingham Castle also donated prizes for the raffle.
Kim Mayo, Head of Governance and Monitoring Officer at Braintree District Council, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, baked, sponsored and supported our mission. The money raised will help fund life-saving research, and that’s something we can all be proud of. It was a tough hike, but the sense of achievement and community spirit made it all worthwhile."
The funds raised will go towards the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and heart and circulatory diseases.