A group of employees from Accu, an engineering component distributor in Huddersfield, have gone the extra mile in support of The Kirkwood charity by taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
Eighteen team members hiked up and down the Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough mountains – a 24-mile round trip, including 1,585m of ascent, raising over a thousand pounds for the hospice charity. The Kirkwood provides specialist care and support to individuals affected by life-restricting illness across Kirklees.
One member of the Accu team, Richard Durr, operations director, said: “Taking on the Three Peaks as a team was a real test of endurance, but knowing it was for The Kirkwood gave every step extra purpose. It was inspiring to see everyone pull together for such a vital cause.”
Hannah Laverick, management accountant at Accu, added: “Climbing those peaks was as much a mental challenge as a physical one, but the sense of achievement and the reason behind it made it all worth it. Supporting The Kirkwood means supporting people in our own community.”
This year’s charity partnership was chosen by the Accu Community Group, made up of Accu employees, specifically to support local community projects.
With just 25% of The Kirkwood’s funding provided by the NHS, the charity depends heavily on donations, fundraising events and support from local organisations to provide medical care, practical advice, emotional support and guidance for families during some of life’s most difficult times.
Alastair Morris, managing director of Accu, said: “Our partnership with The Kingwood is really important to us and we are very proud of our team’s recent fundraising event for the charity doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks. This is just the start as our employees will be working hard on their fundraising efforts for The Kirkwood over the coming months.”
Michael Crowther, chief executive at The Kirkwood, said: “We’re delighted that Accu has chosen The Kirkwood as their Charity of the Year. It’s an incredible gesture, and knowing that the decision to support us was led by its employees, via The Accu Community Group, is truly humbling.
“Accu are a local business with a global reach, and their values align closely with our own. Just like The Kirkwood, they put people at the very heart of everything they do.”
In an effort to raise more funds, Accu is set to participate in The Kirkwood Starlight Walk on 5th July, a community walk taking place in the evening across the streets of Huddersfield.
More fundraising activities are in the pipeline for Accu as the company aims to raise £5,000 in the year ahead, with plans currently underway for a sponsored charity games night.
