Vertu Training Team Completes Marathon Challenge For Ben
Ten members of the Vertu Motors plc training team have successfully completed a marathon challenge in aid of automotive industry charity Ben.
Organised by Aftersales Trainer Carrieanne Molloy, the challenge saw the team embark on a virtual journey across the UK over the course of a month – with the ten tasked with completing a total of 563 miles to cover the distance between Vertu’s northernmost and southernmost dealerships in Dunfermline and Truro.
Kicking things off on 1 April, the team was able to count on the support of colleagues from across Vertu’s expansive dealer network as it embarked on the challenge – which saw members walk, swim, run, cycle and row to complete their allocated miles.
The team reached its target mileage with three days to spare, with Training Director Shaun Gallagher contributing the most miles to the total with 85, and Aftersales Trainer Tom McLaughlin completing the longest individual trip with a 25 mile cycle ride.
Whilst the majority of miles were completed across the length and breadth of the UK, Sales Trainer Kiera Frost-Wright didn’t let a pre-booked holiday get in the way of her involvement as she completed part of her challenge in Vietnam.
In total, the ten colleagues completed more than 615 miles, and raised a grand total of £1,000 that has already been delivered to Ben.
The charity, which provides health, wellbeing and financial support to people across the automotive sector, continues to see rising demand for its services.
Mental health concerns now make up a significant proportion of its enquiries, alongside growing calls for financial guidance and crisis support as households face ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
Carrieanne - who walked, ran, swam, cycled and rowed her way to 57.8 miles – said: “With the training team being based all over the country, this was a great way for us to do something together and also raise money for a very valuable cause at the same time.
“It took a huge amount of effort from everyone to not only hit the target miles but also to keep going and surpass 600 miles, which was a fantastic achievement.
“The support of colleagues from across Vertu helped to drive us on to complete the challenge and knowing that the money raised will support other people across the industry makes it all worthwhile.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive at Vertu Motors plc: “Seeing members of the training team come together to complete this challenge has been fantastic, and it showed what can be achieved when people put their mind to something outside their comfort zone.
“Ben is a hugely important charity within the automotive sector with the support it provides, and the money raised by the team will make a real difference. They should all be proud of their efforts.”