Staff in the tax department of a leading city accountancy firm have taken on a seriously taxing task of their own by tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
Colleagues at Ashgates, in Pride Park, swapped their spreadsheets for windcheaters when they scaled three of the largest peaks in Yorkshire in just 12 hours to raise money for local charity, Sam’s Superheroes.
The six number crunchers clocked up more than 24 miles on foot, scaling 1585m, or 5200ft, to complete the epic challenge to climb Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
Their efforts have so far raised £1,150 for the charity, which was set up in memory of Sam Liew, who was just five years old when he died, after developing a rare syndrome which effects one in a million people.
Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome (F.I.R.E.S.) strikes out of the blue in previously healthy people, and the outcome of the condition is usually catastrophic. Whilst the cause is largely unknown, it is thought to be an exceptionally rare reaction to a common virus.
Today Sam’s Superheroes funds and carries out emotional, well-being and therapeutic activities based around kindness and Sam’s love of animals, crafting, outdoors, music and nature.
The team during the Three Peak Challenge.
Not only did the epic climb raise money for the charity, the challenge also benefitted the staff taking part, who returned to work with aching legs but united as a stronger team.
Hannah Sharpe, head of HR at Ashgates, said: “Sam’s mum Rachel came into work, with Sam’s therapy dog Daisy, and gave a really inspiring talk about everything he went through and the work she has carried out in his name.
“So many people came to me afterwards to say they wanted to do something to support the charity – it really moved and motivated everyone.
“The tax department came up with the idea for the Three Peak Challenge and they definitely bonded during the process.
“Not only have they raised lots of money for this worthwhile cause, but the climb has had the added bonus of helping them to bond and connect as a team.”
The epic climb was just one of the ways in which staff at Ashgates have raised money for Sam’s Superheroes, which has been announced as the firm’s official charity partner.
Money was also raised by a sponsored wear red day and a bake sale while staff have pledged to offer practical help by wrapping Christmas presents for local children, funded by the charity.
Sam’s mum Rachel Liew said: “I am so grateful to all the staff at Ashgates, who have done so much to support Sam’s Superheroes. Not only does this help keep the memory of my gorgeous little boy alive, but it helps funds wellbeing activities for other children.
“Sam absolutely loved the great outdoors and was particularly fond of climbing Thorpe Cloud. It is nice to think that he was in the thoughts of those who climbed the three peaks in Yorkshire – I know he would have loved it.”
To find out more, or if you would like to donate visit: Crowdfunding to support Sam’s Superheroes. On 11 September 2022 the Tax Team at Ashgates will take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge! on JustGiving
To find out more about Sam’s Superheroes please visit: www.samssuperheroes.co.uk
For further information please contact Sarah Newton at Penguin PR on 07974 502 764 or email sarah@penguinpr.co.uk
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