AJC Group has smashed its multi-event fitness challenge target to raise £10,000 for Dorset-based homelessness charity Routes to Roots (R2R).
The heroic fitness challenge took place during the last week of September, with 30 AJC Group colleagues swapping their typical working week for swimming and paddleboarding the distance of Dover to Calais three times over, cycling the distance of Lands End to John O’Groats on a static bike, and hiking/jogging up a height the equivalent of Everest three times.
Well over 100 companies and individuals sponsored the ‘AJC All Routes Lead to Home Challenge’, to achieve the £10,000 fundraising target. The money will pay for much-needed shelter and provisions to help with the rising number of people R2R supports on a daily and weekly basis. The charity provides basic life necessities such as food, shelter, facilities, clothes, and support, to an increasing number of people in most need. All financial donations received by R2R are invested into its support offer, contributing towards the increasing costs of providing a warm welcoming building in which to provide the services.
Seb Janes, Director of AJC Group, said: “Back in the summer, we set ourselves a very high target over four fitness disciplines, as we are so passionate about raising enough funds for Routes to Roots to make a real difference to the vital work they carry out. While the cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all, we are very grateful to have our jobs, our houses, and a happy homelife. The men and women that R2R helps are facing complex challenges that have only been heightened in recent times.
“None of us had ever tackled these sorts of swimming, paddleboarding, cycling, or hiking distances before. The timing of the week-long fitness challenge coincided with the South Coast Property Awards gala dinner – where we were thrilled to win in two categories – so it really was a week none of us will ever forget!
“While everyone at AJC Group pushed themselves well out of their comfort zone, we have been incredibly grateful for the generosity of our family, friends, and those we work with, who have collectively donated £10,000. Having only established AJC Group four years ago, this is an achievement we can all be immensely proud of.”
The AJC team elected to take on the fitness challenge locally in either Poole Harbour, or on a treadmill, or static bike in the company’s office, in order to keep the carbon footprint for the challenge to a minimum.
Kate Mellor, Chair of Routes to Roots Trustees, said: “We are hugely grateful to AJC Group for supporting us and raising an incredible £10,000! We were astounded by how they worked as a team to smash the goals they had set for the challenge.
“With Covid-19 still very present, and the cost-of-living crisis escalating, it is an incredibly tough time for all charities. The work we do with local people across Poole and the wider Dorset area to enable them to find and keep a home, develop their skills, increase opportunities – and ultimately prevent homelessness – is essential. We work with people in need, and with our operating costs rising significantly, we need to work harder than ever to be able to provide vital support day after day.”