Safety firm’s Peak District challenge raises over £8k for mental health charity

TEAM SPIRIT: The Arco executive team

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

A dozen hardy hikers from Arco have completed a 25km trek through the Peak District to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation.

Six members of the Hull-based safety company’s executive team, along with six internal sales managers, took part in the Peak District Ultra Challenge.

The two teams set off from Bakewell basecamp and walked a 25km loop, taking in some of Derbyshire’s stunning scenery and sights, including Chatsworth House.

The executive team completed the challenge in just over five hours, with the sales team finishing in six hours and 20 minutes.

Jimmy Wright, internal regional sales manager at Arco, said: “We came into the challenge not knowing what to expect. This was a test that was both physically and mentally challenging.

“We went through the mill but it didn’t dampen our spirits. We had some music playing and were singing and dancing right until the end.

“I'm so proud of the team, I can’t really put it into words. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated and sent messages of support to us - it definitely helped us get through this challenge.”

In total, the teams have so far raised more than £8,400 from the Peak District challenge.

Di Hopper, chief people officer at Arco, said: “It was amazing to be out walking for such a well-known and important charity as the Mental Health Foundation.

“We filled the five hours with some great team-building chats, plenty of banter and lots of fun. It was worth the physical pain we all felt for the following 48 hours!

“We talked about how, by getting out and working on our physical fitness, while embracing the countryside, the fresh air and the atmosphere of the event, we really felt we were contributing to our own mental wellbeing, while raising money to help others with theirs.

“But the most rewarding part was knowing how much money we had raised and how many individuals we can reach indirectly, helping them get support when they need it."

As part of its partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, Arco is also donating 10 per cent of profits from sales of its own brand hard hats to the charity.