A team of Essex electricity workers completed a ten-mile coastal walk between Southend and Benfleet to raise more than £1,050 for a local charity.
Volunteers from UK Power Networks, which distributes electricity across the East of England, were raising funds for the Carli Lansley Foundation.
More than 20 staff got involved through Donate a Day, UK Power Networks’ volunteer scheme, which gives employees two paid days leave each year to work on voluntary projects in their local community.
The Carli Lansley Foundation is a memorial fund which helps provide free cardiac screenings for people aged 14-35 in the Southend area of the county.
Colin Campbell, a field staff supervisor based in Purfleet, said: “It was great to be able to do a charity walk again after missing it for a couple of years during Covid. We took a mostly coastal route to avoid walking on roads and there were more than 20 of us taking part.
“We have helped different charities in the past, but I heard about this work of the Carli Lansley Foundation from an ex-colleague and it’s fantastic to be able to raise awareness of what they are doing around helping young people access ECG screenings.
“The money raised is going to an important cause that potentially saves lives and we’re really pleased the company have let us donate this work time for the event. The day went really well, it’s a chance to bond with colleagues and everyone who took part enjoyed the experience.”
Karl Lansley, founder of the charity, said: “I am always overwhelmed and humbled by the incredible support we receive from so many people, groups and organisations.
“We want to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone from UK Power Networks who took part in, or helped organise, this fundraising event. Every single penny our charity receives goes towards providing free heart screenings for hundreds of young people in the Southend area
“After a couple of very quiet years when our charity, like so many people, was affected by the lockdowns and restrictions it is fantastic to see so many fundraising events again being held.
“Each screening day we hold can check the hearts of 100 young people, and a screening day costs £6,000. Our charity has set an ambitious target of holding eight screening days per year so we need to raise £48,000 each year. It is a huge target but one we feel we can achieve, especially when we receive support from businesses like UK Power Networks.”
