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Teams from some of the UK’s leading construction and design companies recently came together in the Lake District for an unforgettable team building experience.
Global engineering, environmental and advisory services company, GHD organised the charity challenge to raise more than £21,500 for organisations dedicated to making a difference for children in the UK.
The UK team founded ‘The Challenge’ in 1997 to help support local charities as part of a combined team building and community outreach programme. The team have now organised 12 challenges, raising in excess of £175,000 while strengthening connections with both clients and colleagues.
The latest challenge brought together client teams from Balvac Balfour Beatty, Barnes Walker, Galliford Try, IBI Group, Interserve, Mott MacDonald Bentley and NMC Nomenca, competing alongside four GHD teams for a weekend of hiking, cliff jumping, abseiling and kayaking around Ullswater Lake, Cumbria. In total, the challengers raised a record-breaking £21,784 for Children with Cancer, Martin’s House Hospice and Over the Wall.
Stewart Tennant, GHD Operations Director and Challenge ambassador, says: “This was our 12th event and I can honestly say I think it’s been our best yet. The teams worked incredibly hard to conquer whatever challenge we put before them and the camaraderie shown by everyone in working through the challenges was absolutely superb.
“Facing a gruelling physical task together is a great way to break down barriers and build trust within each team and across different organisations. In an industry where so much depends on effective teamwork and collaboration, developing lasting relationships with clients and colleagues is crucial for success.
“I would like to share my heartfelt thanks with all the challengers and GHD people who helped to organise and marshal the event and make it a success. Our initial target was for each team to raise £1,000 but they ended up collecting so much more. We had a great time and we hope our fellow challengers enjoyed themselves too. It was hard work, but also muddy good fun!”
Dave French, from winning team Galliford Try, added: “What an incredible weekend! We would like to thank all those at GHD who worked so hard to make this event the success it proved to be. The tasks posed both mental and physical challenges to all the teams, which were undertaken in a competitive yet friendly atmosphere.
“The spirit of the weekend was underpinned by the success of all the teams in raising so much money for such deserving children’s charities. The key to our fundraising success was to invite our supply chain to participate; special thanks to Ian Jones, Managing Director Water at Galliford Try, for matching our fundraising efforts, thereby doubling our contribution and allowing us to take home not only the winner’s trophy but also the ‘top fundraiser’ title!”
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Event Winner – Galliford Try; Dave Owen, Dave French, Graham Messenger, Luke Ratcliffe, Mark Foster and Owen Winters
Runner up – GHD (Chester team); Daniel Byrne, Joe Charlton, Marc Connor and Michael Coghlan
Spirit of the Challenge – GHD (combined York / London team); Cara Murphy, Maada Kailondo, Mateusz Milosezwski and Richard Fluin
Top Fundraiser – Galliford Try, who raised a phenomenal £4755
Why not watch the event video and see if you’ve got what it takes to join us for the next challenge! Register your interest by emailing Ukmarketing@ghd.com

