Special Report
Arctic trek boosts fundraising for brave Dickinson family
Geoff Kerly, KEWElectrical’s Managing Director and Chairman, is enjoying the British spring aſter battling the freezing Arctic to more than triple his own charity fundraising target during the Electrical Industries Charity’s latest fund raising Challenge for a Cause venture.
of Finland’s frosty reception in early March as he embarked on his Arctic Adventure for the Challenge for a Cause appeal which aims to ease the plight of paralysed Caz Dickinson and her family. Donning his trademark orange hat, as a host of sponsors waited with bated breath back home, Geoff, 59, tackled cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and husky-sledding in a three-day challenge, starting in Kuusamo on March 8th. Also in the team was Tessa Ogle, CEO of the
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Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) which launched the £250,000 appeal to help rebuild the future of the Dickinson family after mum, Caz – who had worked in the electrical wholesaling sector – suffered a Grade 4 brain haemorrhage. Paralysed from the neck down, Caz then spent seven years in hospital, her husband was made redundant and the family lost their home. The EIC fundraising will be ploughed into building a new home adapted to Caz’s need for 24-hour care. Says Geoff: “We defeated the elements as our
team skied, hiked and stumbled through the Arctic waste and sub-zero temperatures to complete our challenge over a total of five days, including two days flying out there and back.
o stranger to sub-zero conditions aſter the Beast from the East deep froze the UK, Geoff felt the full force
“Cross-country skiing and shovelling snow to
create quinzee shelters took up Day 1, snowshoeing across more than one metre-deep snow on Day 2 – like wearing tennis rackets on your feet – and the husky safari on Day 3, which saw pairs of us taking it in turns to sit on the sled then push it, often uphill.” Geoff decided to compete in the Arctic Challenge last May when he heard about the Dickinson family. He then set in motion a training programme to prepare for the event. Among the participants were Caz’s two
daughters, Jodi and Rachel, together with other electrical wholesalers, electrical contractors, and Joint Industry Board staff. “A good mixed group,” recalls Geoff, “and I had the opportunity to learn more about Caz.” To date, Geoff has raised £19,500 against his £6,000 goal. With Gift Aid, the total’s nearing £21,500. “I’ll have driven some people mad chasing them to sponsor me,” jokes Geoff, whose many contacts across the sector well-placed him to attract wide support from KEW staff, customers and suppliers. He lost a few pounds preparing for his Arctic
quest . “I bought a Fitbit watch and set myself the task of taking 10,000 steps a day to get a bit fitter. I’d walk round the building first when I came to work instead of going straight in and took the long way home if I’d walked somewhere. I shed
Kew MD Geoff Kerly raised the highest individual sum in the Electrical Industries Charity’s history, on his Arctic trek.
three-quarters of a stone and intend to keep the weight off as I certainly feel better for it.” Commenting on the team’s £107,000 tally
raised, Tessa Ogle said: “Everyone was fantastic in what proved an amazing achievement all round. Geoff’s tireless fundraising efforts helped him record the highest individual sum raised in the charity’s history.” KEW Electrical places great emphasis on
supporting local and national causes, with many of its 24 branches working to help community initiatives. The Shaftesbury branch donated a parachute
to local Brownies to allow them to play team games, while KEW HQ in Brighton are main sponsors of Brighton & Hove Cricket Club in nearby Hove and it also supports Mile Oak FC, along the coast at Portslade. KEW has also raised tens of thousands of pounds over many years of supporting the Canine Partners charity that helps needy people by providing them with guide dogs. Lymington branch meanwhile is cooking up a
The plucky team from across the electrical industry raised £107,000 towards a new, specially adapted home for the Dickinson family.
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storm, raising £450 to date with its own bake off to aid a local hospice, one of three palliative care centres KEW Electrical outlets support. “We love to give back to our local communities and help worthy causes in many ways,” says Geoff, “although few fundraising efforts are as extreme as the Arctic Challenge. I’m so pleased I took part.”
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