Member Article

‘Oaring’ success at the Butterwick Cup as generous employees raise £4,700

The Butterwick Cup charity rowing race on Saturday (May 17th) has been hailed a success by the sponsor WR Planning Group thanks to the courage and generosity of the competing business teams which raised more than £4,700.

Two Teesside teams of charitable employees from QA Weld Tech and GSE Systems raced along the River Tees in Stockton against each other, raising more than £4,700 in the process for the Butterwick Hospice.

The race over 750 meters was watched by spectators at the annual Tees Regatta and saw the four man boat from QA Weld Tech narrowly reach the finish line first.

Stockton-based employee benefit consultancy firm WR Planning Group organised and sponsored the Butterwick Cup, with support from Tees Rowing Club, as part of its ongoing fundraising commitment to the charity as a corporate supporter.

Building up to the regatta the two firms participated in six weeks training with Tees Rowing Club, which WR Planning Group also sponsors, to strengthen their teams and gain essential time practicing on the water.

The employees from both companies volunteered their time for free to train and compete, and due to the popularity to participate there was even a race off between employees to make their final teams.

Managing director of WR Planning Group, Tony Slimmings, said: “We are delighted to announce that the two teams of spirited and generous employees from QA Weld Tech and GSE Systems have managed to raise more than £4,700 for the Butterwick Hospice; £1,000 of which was kindly match funded by Barclays.

“Having been an avid corporate supporter of the Butterwick Hospice for more than three years we appreciate the invaluable role they play in the community and for the many families they continue to support on a daily basis.

“As employee benefit consultants the Butterwick Cup has not only been a fantastic opportunity for us all to raise money for a much loved cause but also a way to encourage local businesses to actively engage in team building and employee reward activities.”

Due to the success of the inaugural Butterwick Cup the sponsor has stated it will become an annual race on behalf of the charity.

WR Planning Group specialise in supporting employers maximise their workforce performance through strategic development, reward, management and recruitment.

For more information about WR Planning Group and its corporate social responsibility commitment please contact 01642 661600.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sarah Morrison .