A team from Glasgow-based City Building has raised more than £28,000 for The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice after completing the 96-mile West Highland Way challenge.
Darren Burrows, Chris Devlin, Steven McGurk and Brian Sutherland from City Building’s Joint Trade Union Committee (JTUC) completed the route over five days, travelling from Fort William to Milngavie.
The challenge formed part of City Building’s ’20 for 20′ fundraising campaign, which aimed to raise £20,000 during the company’s milestone 20th year in support of the Glasgow hospice charity – a cause the organisation has supported since 2006.
Thanks to an overwhelming effort involving staff, families, suppliers, partner organisations and the wider community, the team smashed their original target, raising a whopping £28,001.
£28,000 is equivalent to the funding needed to support a community nurse for four months, visiting up to five patients a day, providing clinical and emotional support to patients and families.
Fundraising activities took place across the organisation in the lead-up to the challenge, with City Building’s health and wellbeing group organising coffee mornings, raffles and wellbeing events to help boost donations and rally support.
Over the course of the journey, the team tackled some of the most demanding sections of the trail, including the steep climb of the Devil’s Staircase, the rugged terrain of Rannoch Moor and the difficult paths along Loch Lomond. One particularly punishing day saw the group cover more than 18 miles.
For City Building commercial manager and Unison Union shop steward Chris Devlin, the fundraiser carried special personal significance having experienced first-hand the support provided by The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice when his father received care there.
He said, “The care, compassion and support the hospice provides to families across Glasgow is incredible and taking on this challenge in support of the charity meant a huge amount to all of us. Completing the West Highland Way was physically and mentally demanding at times but knowing the difference these funds will make for patients and families kept us going every step of the way. The support we received throughout the challenge was unbelievable and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donated and got behind us.”
Alex Winn, business development manager at The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice, added, “What an incredible achievement from the City Building Team. The determination and passion Chris, Steven, Darren and Brian have shown throughout the challenge has been inspirational. We have partnered with City Building for almost 20 years and time and again the organisation continues to give its time, energy and support to help the hospice and the families we care for.
“The dedication shown by everyone involved in this challenge has been remarkable and the funds raised will make a real difference to people across Glasgow at the most difficult times in their lives. We are hugely grateful for their continued support.”
