James Cropper’s Total Warriors Raise £1508.87 for St John’s Hospice
Fitness fanatics from Burneside-based manufacturer of paper and carbon products prove their physical and charitable mettle with a torturous physical test in aid of St John’s Hospice.
Amongst the thousands of participants that took part in the Total Warrior Lake District event on Sun 2 August, overcoming mud, hills and freezing waters in the name of proving extreme fitness, was a team of 28 runners from James Cropper PLC.
Raising funds for Lancaster-based St John’s Hospice, the group took on the unforgiving terrain around the village of Shap to complete the gruelling course, raising thousands of pounds to ensure continuing high standards of care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
Running amongst strategically placed obstacles, intended to encourage team work as well as testing contestants’ abilities to withstand extreme tests of endurance, the James Cropper team finished the punishing course through sheer determination and hours of training. Organised by Sarah Steadman, and Anna Gledhill, Internal Sales Executives, the group has found that the pain of the event has been replaced by a deep sense of pride.
The cause is one close to Steadman’s heart as just two years ago her stepfather benefitted from the care of the team at the hospice after being diagnosed with cancer. Recognising the level of care they offered her family at a very difficult time, the rest of the James Cropper team agreed that it was a cause worth getting muddy for.
She said: “The Total Warrior challenge was harder than expected, not helped by the wet weather and the muddy conditions that sapped our energy levels, but by encouraging each other we all made it to the finish line. Even though it was painful it was fun too, and being able to raise £1508.87 for St Johns Hospice is incredible. I know first-hand just how precious their commitment to the families they support can be at such a painful time. We’re so grateful to everyone that sponsored us and it would be great if more people considered donating to the charity having heard about our efforts.”
St John’s Hospice, based on Slyne Road, Lancaster, provides a range of residential services, in and out patient therapies and emotional support for the people in their care. Money raised for the charity will continue to help staff to provide on-site care, home visits and the educational projects that ensure that other hospices and community care staff in the Morecambe Bay area can offer the highest standards of care.
Jill Santamera, Community Fundraiser for St John’s Hospice, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Sarah and her colleagues selected St John’s Hospice as their chosen charity. All of our services are provided free of charge, yet it costs over £11,000 per day to run the hospice, so this is a very valuable contribution. I know just how much the hospice means to patients and their families and friends and I am continually overwhelmed by the many individuals, companies and community groups that enable us to keep our doors open. On behalf of our patients, families, staff and volunteers I would like to thank the James Cropper PLC team for undertaking this extreme challenge in support of our local hospice.”
