Employees at Darwen-based property claims management specialist, Aspray, are donning the fitness gear as they head towards a whopping running total that they aim to raise for Derian House in Chorley.
Aspray started to fundraise for Derian House in late 2017, when Elaine Middleton, Derian House’s Corporate and Partnerships Manager, spoke about the charity’s work, at Aspray’s annual national conference – an event attended by head office staff and franchisees.
Having learned that Derian House needs £3.85 million this year, if it is to continue to offer its intended level of palliative, specialist respite and end-of-life care for children and young adults across the north west, Aspray employees have got into training for a 5k charity run. They will be joined in this effort by some of the franchisee loss assessors.
The fundraiser is due to take place on Sunday September 2, at Heaton Park in Manchester. On the day, the combined Aspray contingent will be teaming up with Derian House employees, to help reach their target of raising £2,500 through this initiative. Each participant will be hoping to bring in a minimum sponsored amount of £50 to try to achieve this goal.
All participants are already in training for what is intended to be a fun team exercise, rather than a competitive run by individuals. All will receive an official T-shirt and medal, even though the main incentive will be that of raising money for Derian House, which is currently supporting 350 families.
The team is being marshalled by Aspray’s National Business Development Manager, Colin Johnson, who is a regular runner and ideally placed to offer the training and encouragement that the team will require.
Colin said: “I am delighted to have pulled together a squad that not only comprises some of my colleagues from head office, but also some of our loss assessors in the field, who run their own franchise businesses. We were all moved by what we heard at our national conference and this will be a true team effort. We are determined to raise as much as we can for Derian House.”
Elaine Middleton, Corporate and Partnerships Manager at Derian House, added: “Aspray’s team has thrown itself into this challenge and some of our own staff will be delighted to join them on September 2. We rely on corporate support of this nature, as we are a charity that receives minimal statutory funding. Aspray is setting a brilliant example of what can be achieved, if enthusiastic individuals throw themselves into a joint mission to raise sponsorship. If we manage to raise the target of £2500, it will be a real boost to our funds.”
