UK Youth has been partnered with B&Q, the country's largest home improvement retailer since 2011. On Saturday (22nd September) nearly 200 of their staff took part in the London Triathlon to raise money, making UK Youth one of the best represented charities at this, the largest triathlon in the world (not bad when you consider we had just three supporters taking part last year).
Among those 'competing' at the ExCeL centre were B&Q CEO Martyn Phillips and Nick Folland, Group Corporate Affairs Director at Kingfisher, B&Q's parent company. People either took on three disciplines alone, or as part of a team and could choose between the sprint (750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run) and the Olympic distance (1500m swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run).
The 176 B&Q employees were joined by other UK Youth supporters as well as staff from the charity. In all the 200 swimmers, riders and runners are expected to raise more than £100,000.
Also supporting the event were volunteers from The Tri Touch who were on hand to massage tired limbs. The post-race hospitality was further boosted by donations from Clif Bar & Company, Maxifuel and Graze and there was great a selection of cupcakes from Bea's of Bloomsbury's. As part of the preparations for the day David Leslie Cakes kindly invited young people from the UK Youth network to make a special cake for the occassion which went down a treat with all the 'athletes'.
“This event was fantastic and I am so pleased with the work that we've all put into it. Our relationship with UK Youth is something we're very proud. The London Triathlon was a great opportunity to raise money and also to bring staff from our stores and head office together. We already planning to have an even bigger presence at next year's event." Martyn Phillips, Chief Executive, B&Q.
"Ever since the beginning of our partnership with B&Q their staff have been amazing and supported our work in so many ways. The incredible turnout at the London Triathlon is the latest example of what B&Q are doing collectively and as individuals to help us support young people in the UK. It was a great day and one that I’ll remember for a long time." Charlotte Hill, Chief Executive, UK Youth.
