25th Of October by Sam Torr

45 EMPLOYEES from the P&A Group and the Woodworks Garden Centre completed the Flintshire 10k Run, battling through strong winds to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

With many of the staff dressed as pandas, and Steve Morgan, Managing Director, wearing a full panda suit to represent the P&A company mascot, all employees committed to completing the course on Sunday October 22.

The company, a leading timber product manufacturer based in Mold, ran in aid of its chosen charity for 2017, Cancer Research UK, and already it has raised over £15,000 for the vital cause this year.

In addition to this, 23 people successfully completed the Chester Marathon and 25 employees did the Manchester Marathon. Not to be outdone, Managing Director Steve Morgan and John Vaughan, Fencing & Timber Buildings Manager have completed almost 1,000 miles EACH taking part in marathons and Ironman Challenges.

Steve Morgan said: “Following on from our success in the Chester Marathon where 20 of us completed, the fact that 45 ran and completed another tough challenge is just fantastic.

“There were people from every age group, from every area of the company taking part and it really was a great opportunity for us to have some fun and get to know each other a bit better.”

The P&A Group is a very diverse business with people working in various roles including timber manufacturing, catering, retail and warehousing.

As a growing company, P&A are committed to employee fitness and long-term well-being as well as supporting the community and raising money for charity.

Andrew Baker, Financial Director at P&A said: “Well done to everyone who took part in the Flintshire 10k Run. This was another proud moment for P&A, working together as a team to achieve our goal.

“I’m sure it is unprecedented for an SME to contribute so much to the community (we made up 10% of the 400+ field), employee fitness and team-building, and charity fundraising.

Continuing to take part in events is very important for the company following the success of previous years when as a group they raised over £15,000.00 for The Alzheimer’s Society and over £6,000 last year for Meningitis Now, in memory of one of their own.

“As a company we want to be Employer of Choice and so we take our employees’ health and wellbeing very seriously and doing something like this really helps us work together as a motivated team,” Steve added.

This was the company’s third and final running challenge of the year and to date it is 75% of the way towards its target of £20,000 for Cancer Research UK.

“It was also great to hear the comments from the organisers and spectators commending our efforts. All the runners should be so proud of themselves,” Andrew added.

You can help P&A in their fundraising efforts on their JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/P-A-Group-and-Zest4Leisure