Thirteen employees from the P&A Group successfully smashed the Chester 10k on Sunday 10th March, raising funds for the company’s chosen charity of the year North East Wales Mind.
The P&A team of both experienced runners and those running a 10k for the first time represented all divisions of the business included: Andrew Baker, Hazel Bainbridge, Jenny Blackburn, Steve Gibson, James Guilfoyle, Owen Kelliher, Lowri Mitton, Ben Morgan, Zak Richards, Luke Roberts, Jason St. Lawrence, James Turner and Reza Yaghoubi.
Commenting on the event, Andrew Baker, P&A Group Finance Director said:
“We had a great time at the Chester 10k on Sunday and I’m really pleased that so many of us were able to take part in the race.
“The course took us past some really lovely scenery, starting next to the iconic Chester Racecourse, passing close to the picturesque village of Mollington before ending with the stunning backdrop of the Eastgate Clock in Chester.
“We’d all like to say a massive thank you to everyone who cheered us along the way – it kept our spirits high and spurred us on to the finish line!”
Jason St Lawrence, one of the runners who is a British Sign Language interpreter at the P&A Group, added:
“This was my very first 10k and I ran it dressed as the film character, Rocky. There were a few shouts of ‘Go on Rocky’, just like the film, as I crossed the line. It was good fun and thanks to everyone who generously supported me.
“Running in this event with our P&A team has inspired me to do more running and I’m hoping to do a local half marathon in January!”
James Guilfoyle, from the Zest logistics team commented
“It was great to be part of this P&A team and I feel inspired to do more running and sign up for a half marathon in the future”
The charity helps people in Flintshire and Wrexham recover from mental health problems and stay emotionally healthy. In addition to telephone counselling, emotional support, and face to face services the charity offers a range of services and online activities. Its phone lines are open between 10am and 4pm each weekday.
The Chester Marathon is just one of many fundraising events planned by employees of the P&A Group. Other initiatives include abseiling down Liverpool Cathedral, the Manchester Marathon and a 24 hour relay walk, as well as tried and trusted favourites such as various raffles and a quiz night. Employees of P&A have set a fundraising target of £10,000 for 2024.
Over the last 14 years the P&A Group has raised over £150,000 for a range of charities including Dementia UK, British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, Cancer Research UK, Action for Children, Alzheimer’s Society, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Meningitis Now.
The P&A Group comprises Zest Outdoor Living, a leading supplier of award winning timber garden products, the award winning Woodworks Garden Centre and Café in Mold, P&A Pallets & Packaging and St Andrews Business Centre for leased and virtual offices.
To donate to North East Wales Mind, please visit https://www.p-a-group.com/charity