Brackley business powers through charity week

Hundreds of Avara employees got involved through a range of challenges and events over the course of a week, raising a total of £4,825.

This is the second consecutive year the company has fundraised for the charity during their annual Charity Challenge Week which had a sporting theme this year as it was held during the Rugby World Cup.

At the heart of this was the Run, Walk and Cycle Japanese Stadium Challenge; an exercise bike and treadmill was set up and where employees covered a combined total of 1,627 miles - the total distance between the 12 stadiums hosting the Rugby World Cup, from Sapporo Dome to Oita Stadium.

Representatives from Katharine House came to kick off the challenge, and all those taking part contributed to the fundraising total or secured sponsorship for every mile they completed.

In addition, the site held a raffle, a tombola, a bake sale and a quiz, ran Caribbean Cook Up in the canteen and hosted a golf putting competition.

Some employees washed cars in the car park for donations and one did a sponsored walk to work, covering 46 miles in very inclement weather. Promoting personal health and wellbeing, reiki, pilates and reflexology sessions were also run.

Continuing the sports theme, the site also held a sportswear themed dress down day, encouraging colleagues to represent their favourite sporting activity, and later a Hallowe’en fancy dress competition.

Claire Tarvit, site manager at Avara Foods’ Brackley site, said: “As a company, we strongly recognise the importance of supporting local community charities.

"We were Local business support Katharine House Hospice with week of fundraising delighted to fundraise for Katharine House Hospice again, and the decision to continue our

support for this great local charity was unanimous. I’m so proud of the team here for getting involved so enthusiastically and we are all thrilled with the total raised.”

Laura Horton, partnerships and philanthropy manager at Katharine House Hospice added: “We’re so grateful to Avara Foods for their continued support of our cause.

Activities like the Avara Foods Brackley Charity Challenge Week for Katharine House doesn’t just raise money but also raises awareness of the important work we do in the

community for hundreds of local families living with a life-limiting illness.

"Their support is even more vital this year as the hospice faces a budgeted deficit of £435,000 and urgently needs to close that gap or risk making difficult decisions about the services it can provide.

"I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who got involved and made the event such a success.”