Despite the set back of the first day, the team soon got back on track running 10k routes in major European cities such as Brussels, Geneva and Monaco before strapping up ankles, hamstrings and toes for the last leg of the challenge in Barcelona yesterday afternoon.
Cotton added: “It’s been an absolutely amazing experience for all of us but we’re hugely relieved that it’s complete. Our energy reserves were virtually empty after two runs and the extra travel on the first day so, from then on, it has been a constant challenge to pick ourselves up ready for the next race.
Every issue we will be examining an individual whose style we admire; whether that’s their style of management, leadership approach, entrepreneurial genius or indeed fashion sense! This issue; We congratulate a team of successful Manchester entrepreneurs who complete the challenge of a lifetime to help raise funds for the NSPCC…
At the end of May, 10 top businessmen put their physical strength and entrepreneurial spirit to the test during an epic 100k Challenge across Europe in aid of the NSPCC Hear Our Cry appeal.
Dragging their aching limbs across the finish line in Barcelona on the last night, the runners were drained and exhausted but immensely proud of the achievement and of the £100,000 raised.
Starting with the Great Manchester Run, Imran Hakim of Hakim Group, Altium Managing Director Phil Adams, MC2 boss Mike Perls and comedian John Bishop were amongst those who completed 10 x 10k races in 10 European countries over the course of five days.
Rob Cotton, CEO of NCC Group and driving force behind the 100k Challenge, commented: “It certainly hasn’t been a stroll in the park. Ash clouds, stomach bugs and uphill runs in Holland were all unexpected obstacles for us and have made the challenge that bit harder. There were times
I think we all thought we wouldn’t make it to Barcelona so I am thrilled that we all completed the last 10k and are still here to tell the tale!”
Airport closures caused by the volcanic ash cloud meant the runners’ best laid plans to fly direct to Amsterdam for the second leg of the challenge on Sunday actually resulted in a last minute dash to Dover for a ferry and a midnight run in a rather rainy Ostend.
To find out more about the 100k Challenge or the Hear Our Cry appeal please go to
www.hearourcry.co.uk or to donate the Just Giving page is
www.justgiving.com/100kchallenge
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“We have had great support throughout the challenge, in the cities we have visited as well as from family, friends and contacts at home which has really helped keep us going. People have donated generously for the Hear Our Cry appeal and I’m delighted that we have managed to raise such a substantial sum of money for the NSPCC.
“We’ve still got a little way to go to hit our target of £100,000 though so if you haven’t donated yet please visit
www.hearourcry.co.uk”
Hear Our Cry is a new campaign for the NSPCC in the North West and has been launched to promote awareness of the vital helpline services
provided by the charity, including ChildLine, the UK’s free confidential 24-hour helpline for children, and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about a child.
The aim of the campaign is to raise £2.7m by May 2011 to ensure more children and young people across the region have access to the help they need when they need it most.
Angela Capper, NSPCC development manager for the North West said: “Many thanks to Manchester’s entrepreneurs for their commitment and dedication in completing this epic 10k challenge to support the NSPCC.
“It is a fantastic achievement and our congratulations go to each one of them. Thanks for the businessmen’s time and fundraising efforts, the money raised will help support our vital helpline services to ensure we can answer even more cries for help from children in the UK.”
The full list of runners included: Mike Perls, MC2 Rob Cotton, NCC Group Imran Hakin, Hakim Group John Bishop, Comedian and Actor Gary Harding, Ernst and Young Tony Machin, European Financial Solutions Mark Stephenson, Deloitte LLP Phil Adams, Altium Niels Hagels, NCC Group Ashok Kallumpram, TiE Walli Ullah, TiE Tariq Marfani, TiE Simon Peck, Cisco Scott Fletcher, ANS Group Stephen Peel
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