Guernsey Press

Deloitte staff complete 24-hour challenge for Grow Ltd

A SHOWER and a hot beverage was the reward for Deloitte staff at the weekend after completing a 24-hour charity challenge.

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The end of the Grow Ltd 24-hour challenge fundraiser. Left to right: David Becker, Bradley Choules, Mike De Robillard and Sally Rochester. (Picture by Sophie Rabey, 29309118)

From 9am Friday through the night to 9am Saturday, around 25 staff at the audit, advisory and tax firm, ran, walked, jogged and cycled their way round the island to raise funds for Grow Ltd.

Part of the firm’s 5 Million Futures initiative, to help five million people overcome barriers to education and employment by 2030, audit partner David Becker, who organised it, said it had also been a good team challenge.

‘It was brilliant, the sense of camaraderie really made it,’ he said.

‘From the most junior staff members to the senior, so many got involved.’

WhatsApp was a huge part of keeping the colleagues connected, with many sharing footage of themselves in the moments before and during their one to two-hour challenge stint.

‘Waking up with a coffee and seeing what people were up to overnight was really quite fun to see,’ said colleague Sally Rochester who took part in the last couple of hours on her bike. People were having giggling fits in the middle of the night, clearly everyone had fun, it’s good to be a part of that.’

Bradley Choules, who also took part, added it had been a good way to get to know people. Firm director Mike De Robilliard agreed. He signed up for a two-hour cycle ride starting at 4am, accompanied by a colleague on a Chopper bicycle and said the whole firm had really taken to the challenge.

‘Everyone has been really enthusiastic,’ he said.

‘Initially the concept had less people taking part, and before that just David doing the 24 hours on his own before lockdown exercise restrictions came in, but it really took off with the take up.

‘I’m sure plenty plan to have a shower and a hot drink when they get home.’

Their efforts have so far raised around £3,500 for Grow Ltd, a Guernsey based charity which aims to provide a safe and secure working environment for people with learning and other disabilities.

Funds will go towards Grow Ltd’s redevelopment plans to improve its existing buildings and greenhouses, a new fully equipped workshop and a hospitality training kitchen that will give its workers the experience of handling money, customer service and using household kitchen equipment.

Mr Becker, who had planned on taking part in a gruelling and dangerous 230km Amazonian Rainforest Jungle Ultra Marathon with his running partner, Ed Partridge, last year, before it was cancelled, is hoping it will go ahead instead in June.