Employees at James Donaldson & Sons Ltd are counting down to a huge company event at the end of this month, as they set out to cycle 2,000km (1,223 miles) around the UK, via every operating branch within the Donaldson Group.
The gruelling cycle will go around all 23 branches of the Donaldson Group, starting in Kent on June 20, up to Inverness, and back down the east of Scotland to finish in Fife, where the company was founded in 1860.
Most of the 26 Donaldson employees and friends are undertaking the event as a relay, however, retired Donaldson’s employee and non-executive director Alan Sinclair will be cycling the entire route in under three weeks.
The aim of the cycle is to raise £20,000 for Columba 1400, in connection with Donaldson’s company charity, the Donaldson Leadership Academy, which was set up to mark the company’s 150th anniversary. Columba 1400 is a renowned social enterprise and charity, which focuses on young people from challenging backgrounds.
“By raising money for this charity we are making a real and significant difference to a number of young people’s lives,“ said executive chairman Neil Donaldson.
“My wife and I are signed up to cycle two legs between MGM Timber’s Glasgow branch and MGM’s Inverness branch, which is a substantial 100 miles (and mostly uphill!). Along with the endurance test ahead of us all, cycling over 100 miles in the Scottish summer is certainly going to have many challenges along the way, with the changeable weather and swarms of midgeys – not to mention the saddle-soreness! Any support people can offer for this experience would therefore be very much appreciated.”
Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/TeamDonaldson where there is also a video of how the money can make a difference to the young people involved.
