Pigment smashes target for Swan UK as Dee’s Cards’ Sue raises £3k with Viking trip
Greetings folk have been pulling together for charity with Pigment’s team smashing their target for Swan UK, while indie retailer Dee’s Cards has put in the pedal power in aid of its local rugby club.
Harrogate-based publisher Pigment put together a challenge to walk, run and cycle a total of 1,000 miles with the original aim of raising £1,500, and they’ve now almost quadrupled that at £5,755 to date for the organisation which supports families affected by a syndrome without a name, genetic conditions so rare they often go undiagnosed.
The main walkathon was a couple of weeks ago which saw team members set out on the 30-mile route along the canal from Skipton to Leeds, with sales director Steve Baker joining in on his bike while on holiday in Italy and, not to be outdone, production manager Ally Petyt cycled the 118-mile round route to Morecambe Bay.
“Even our major print supplier, Herbert Walkers, got involved by kindly providing an incredible and much-needed refreshment stop at their premises 17 miles in!” Pigment’s Laura Harford laughed.
“We’d previously made a start on the 1,000 miles to coincide with Swan UK’s Undiagnosed Children’s Day on 28 April. This was where the team had to keep an exercise bike pedalling in the studio for the full working day, alongside a tombola, staff fuddle, pick ’n’ mix stall and guess-the-number-of-sweets-in-the-jar competition.”
Pigment picks a charity to support each year and decided on Swan UK after hearing that the youngest daughter of a team member is a swan – taken from the first letter of the words in the phrase “syndrome without a name”. The organisation is the only dedicated support network for such families in the UK and exists to ensure they don’t feel alone on their journey.
Laura added: “While current chat in the office still revolves around blisters, bruised toenails and battered feet, the total to date stands at a wonderful £5,755 – the JustGiving link is here – and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Plus, we’ve still got some other fun activities planned for the rest of the year, including a car boot sale and big team quiz night.
“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the support we’ve received! Everyone has been so kind, generous and encouraging, especially considering how tough times are for many at the moment.”
Meanwhile, down south in Leighton Buzzard, Dee’s Cards owner Paul Mordecai is rightly proud of staff member Sue Pearson and her daughter Amy who completed the London to Brighton bike ride last month – sporting their own Viking helmets – and raised a magnificent £3,000 on their JustGiving page.
The theme goes with the Viking Fund which was set up in memory of Sue’s late husband Chris to educate the volunteer coaches helping develop player at all levels at Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club where he played before his death from cancer six years ago.
“Wow! We did it,” Sue said. “It was brutal at times and torrential rain didn’t help but feel sooooo proud. Chris really was with us all the way and helped us dig deep.
“Amy and I are thrilled to have raised such a staggering amount for the Viking Fund in memory of our lovely dad and husband Chris – he also cycled from London to Brighton twice, dressed in full Viking gear, obviously. I’m sure he would have given us plenty of tips for the ride, although most would involve Guinness!”
