8th Of February by Sam Torr

The P&A Group is delighted to announce that we have chosen to support Action For Children as our chosen charity for 2018, with our first fundraising event being the iconic London Marathon.

Taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile race will be Managing Director Steve Morgan, Financial Director Andrew Baker and Fencing & Timber Buildings Manager John Vaughan, who will give their all to complete the tough course.

Managing Director, Steve Morgan said: “There are so many children in the UK that need help and support and I know the work that Action For Children does makes a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of children across the UK and particularly in Mold and Flintshire.

“I hope our efforts at the London Marathon encourage others to get involved by donating or raising funds for Action For Children, enabling it to continue investing in its vital research and its help and support for so many children.”

With a fundraising target of £10,000, throughout the year, many of our 165 employees from across the six divisions of P&A will take part in marathons, triathlons, 10k road races and more.

There are plans for 50 to run in the Flintshire 10k challenge dressed as pandas following the success of 2017 where 45 completed.

Supporting children and young people is something we are extremely passionate about as a company, and this year employees chose to raise money for Action for Children, a charity that provides help to children who need it most.

In the UK alone, there over 1.5 million children suffering from some form of neglect. All money that P&A raise this year will go towards helping the charity continue to do their vital work so every pound donated will make a huge difference.

For example, just £5 could pay for emergency overnight support for a young person on the verge of homelessness. £10 could help pay for swimming and hydrotherapy lessons for a child with a disability. £20 could pay for food parcels to help parents with feeding their children nutritious meals and a £50 donation could pay for a one-to-one counselling session for a child who has been abused.

Nikki Booth, Action for Children’s fundraiser in North Wales and Shropshire, said:  “We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen to be The P&A Group’s charity of the year in 2018. 

“We have seen some of the extraordinary events this longstanding family-run business has been involved in over the years to raise money as well as Steve Morgan’s uncanny ability to motivate people to run marathons for other good causes! We are incredibly grateful we will now be the focus of their endeavours this year.”

As a company, P&A has always raised money for charity and in the last five years we have specifically chosen one each year to support. Past fundraising efforts include various events, from marathons, cycling to Paris, the Welsh 14 Peaks Iron Men challenges to sponsored football matches and even It’s A Knockout.

This will be the fourth year that the Rhyl Schools Triathlon has run, and this is the result of being inspired by Steve and John taking part in the Wales Ironman Challenge, primary schools from across Denbighshire will also help to raise money towards the target.

The whole company will commit to getting behind the fundraising and work as a team, whether that be through major sporting challenges or smaller events as every penny counts.

“We work in the heart of our communities in North Wales and across Wales to do what’s right for children and their families.  It is wonderful our work is being recognised in this way and I look forward to working closely with the P&A Group team this year,” Nikki added.

Last year, Steve and John took part in a number of gruelling events, completing a grand total of 1,000 miles each for Cancer Research UK. As well as that, a number of employees helped to raise over £20,000 by committing to over 5,000 miles in events such as marathon’s, triathlons and a 10,000 step a day challenge, to name a few.

To support the Group in its fundraising challenge for Action For Children, please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=PAGroup-Zest4Leisure-2018&pageUrl=3