KCOM walkers complete epic 120km charity challenge
A team of 40 KCOM colleagues has completed an epic charity challenge walking 120km across East Yorkshire – raising thousands for local good causes.
The team of hikers set off at dawn from Filey on Monday before wending their way 120km, up hill and down dale, across North and East Yorkshire to reach Hull on Wednesday afternoon.
The hardy hikers endured bruised ankles, sore calves, dodgy knees and more blisters than you can count to contend with along the way, but the end result more than made up for it.
First to arrive in Hull on Wednesday were engineers Matty Hill and Graham Murdoch who, not content with walking the equivalent of a marathon each day, decided to run the last 40k for an extra challenge.
Matty said: “It’s been great fun. It’s been hard at times, especially getting up each day to do it all over again, but it’s been well worth it in the end.”
Graham added: “Each day has been a different challenge. The first day was really hilly, the second was really long and, on the third day, the tarmac roads on the last stretch really took it out of your legs. It’s been tough, but I’ve enjoyed all of it.”
Project manager Lee Walkington, who walked the second day stretch of the challenge along the Wolds from Sterlington Beacon to Londesborough, said: “The hardest bit for me was the climbs and just the sheer distances we had to do, but the best bit was the camaraderie and getting to talk to colleagues from across the business that you wouldn’t normally see.”
Executive Assistant Lisa Watson, who did day one, said: “I’m really proud of everyone, they’ve all done an amazing job. Would I do it again? No. #sorefeet.”
The three-day challenge was organised as part of KCOM’s 120th anniversary year and to raise funds for the Hull-based broadband supplier’s three charities of the year - HEY Children's University, Mind HEY and Age UK HEY. The hikers have already reached their three-day £3,000 target, but are eager to raise more and the donation pot is still open for another month if anyone still wants to contribute here.
Meeting the walkers at the company’s Carr Lane HQ Board chairman Johan Dennelind, said: “It's an absolutely fantastic achievement. Well done to everyone who took part. I'm amazed that they managed to walk 40k in a day - it would take me three days to do that - never mind run it. It shows a great camaraderie between colleagues."
KCOM’s Chief Technology Officer Iain Shepherdson said: “It’s a great achievement by everyone involved and a great job of raising funds for our three charities of the year. It’s events like this that show what an important part KCOM plays in the local community and how we are central to supporting so many great causes. Well done to everyone involved.”