BIG-hearted staff from Southport engineering firm Lattimer have smashed through the £10,000 charity fundraising barrier after completing a gruelling 50-mile trek across the Pennines.
Lattimer finance director Carl Stead and engineer Richie Lewis took part in Trek 50, along the Lancashire and Yorkshire border, starting near Rochdale. The pair were joined by friend Karl Bell and completed the challenge in 14 hours.
Mr Stead said in the process his team, who were amongst the first to complete the mammoth endurance test, raised more than £2,500 for Medequip4kids children’s charity. It takes the Lattimer Group’s total fundraising tally to more than £10,000 following a series of sponsored walks and other fundraising activities over several years.
Mr Stead, aged 50, said: “We are delighted with our latest achievement and to have completed the challenge in such a good time. We managed to shave hours of time off our previous efforts. The route was a big, circular walk with lots of ups-and-downs. It really is a mighty challenge with spectacular views across the Pennine Way footpath often referred to as the “backbone” of England.
“It also marks a terrific moment for the Lattimer Group’s all-round fundraising campaign, which has seen members of our team helping to raise in excess of £10,000 for charity. This cash has been donated to a variety of charities following a number of different fundraising activities – many of which included walking challenges, as well as baking competitions and car boot sales.
“This Trek 50 challenge was carried out to raise cash for Medequip4Kids, which organised the event. It is an excellent charity which provides medical equipment for children in and out of hospital. It delivers a vital service to help ensure babies, children and teenagers receive the best possible care when sick or injured.”
The Lattimer Group is globally renowned precision machinist manufacturing more than 20,000 component parts – predominantly for the bottles glass manufacturing industry.
It has a twin facility in New Jersey, USA, and employs more than 100 staff.
Mr Stead’s walking team crossed the Pennine route with a former soldier who had travelled north from Dorset with other ex-servicemen. However, the other ex-forces men were apparently unable to keep up with the Lattimer team’s pace. Meanwhile, other walkers finished the route up to 14 hours after the Lattimer group.
Mr Stead is now facing a new charity challenge – by learning to ride a bicycle. He said: “A variety of staff at Lattimer want to get more involved with cycling challenges so I’m going to learn how to cycle. Colleagues including chief executive Steven Waterhouse and accountant Clare Makinson plan to get on their bikes to support me and the company’s fundraising work.
“The ongoing staff support and commitment always spurs us on our way. We may even hit the Lancashire side of the Pennines next, following the excitement surrounding the recent Tour de France opening dash across the Yorkshire Dales.”
To donate to the Lattimer team’s fundraising, visit the Just Giving website at justgiving.com\frontglass.
For further details about Lattimer visit the website www.lattimer.com or call the Southport office on +44 (0) 1704 535040.
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