A Swindon recruitment firm is preparing to lace up their walking boots and set off on a 36-mile overnight challenge – all in the name of raising funds for a children’s charity close to their hearts.
Cotswold Talent Solutions, based in Cheney Manor, has chosen to support Jessie May, a hospice at home service for children with life-limiting conditions, as its charity partner for the year. The initiative will see team members walking from their office all the way to the charity’s Bristol headquarters – setting off at 7pm on Thursday 12th June and walking through the night with hopes of arriving by midday the following day.
This will be the company’s first formal charity event, and directors Mike Eardley and Aaron Loftus-Baker were keen to start with a proper test of endurance.
“We wanted to do something big,” said Aaron. “Most of the team are parents, so when the opportunity to support a charity like Jessie May came up, it just felt like the right fit. The work they do is incredibly important for local families facing very difficult times.”
Jessie May offers specialist nursing care to children with complex and life-limiting conditions, all in the comfort of their own homes. It means parents receive respite from caring, siblings get one-on-one time with a parent, and the poorly child is looked after by a trusted nurse in familiar surroundings.
Joining the walk alongside the Cotswold Talent Solutions team will be Laurie Kyle, the creative force behind Giddy Octopus, who handles the company’s marketing and has a long-standing relationship with the team.
“They were my first client,” said Laurie. “This felt like a brilliant way to give something back while also challenging myself personally. Jessie May is a remarkable charity, and I’m proud to be part of this.”
While the walk will undoubtedly push the team to their limits, their fundraising efforts have already started to make an impact. The company recently funded a batch of journals used in bereavement workshops for parents supported by Jessie May.
Emma Carter, Head of Fundraising and Communications at the charity, shared her gratitude:
“We’re incredibly thankful to Cotswold Talent Solutions and Giddy Octopus. This sort of commitment not only raises vital funds but also helps shine a spotlight on the work we do across the South West. Every penny raised helps us continue delivering care to children and support to their families.”
Jessie May operates across Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, and surrounding areas, and relies heavily on fundraising efforts like this one.
The walking team is now focused on training, with a £2,000 fundraising target in their sights. Donations can be made via their JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/36-mile-walk
