MIDSHIRE RUNS UP FUNDS FOR 2 MORE CHARITIES

Four members of staff from Stockport’s Midshire Business Systems ran a half marathon in Blackpool to raise money for two charities.

Managing Director, Julian Stafford (50), his daughter and Marketing Assistant Laura Stafford (21), Sales Manager Nick Rose (27) and Warehouse Apprentice Louis Turner (21) ran the 25^th annual Great North West Half Marathon on Sunday 23^rd February in aid of local charities Mellor Country House and Valley School, and volunteering charity Progressio ICS.

The Midshire team from left to right: Nick, Louis,Laura and Julian

Sponsorship from Midshire’s suppliers Ricoh, Sharp, Lexmark and Riso has resulted in £4,000 of

donations.  Each member of staff represented a different manufacturer in a “race of the manufacturers”. Julian representing Riso, Laura as Ricoh, Nick as Sharp and Louis representing Lexmark.

Now in its 25^th year, the Great North West Half Marathon is a 13.1 mile route along the Blackpool promenade, which attracted over 1,000 competitors of all ages and experiences.

Nick won the battle of the brands in 1.39, with Louis, Laura and Julian coming in at 2.12, just seconds apart.

Midshire will make the main donation to local charity Mellor Country House, who they were introduced to through a Marketing Stockport event. 

The staff at Mellor Country House are dedicated to providing breaks for financially and socially disadvantaged groups, families and carers in a safe, secure and relaxing environment. The breaks are a chance for visitors to escape their situation and circumstances, offering new experiences and opportunities. No one is excluded from accessing the service, which caters for all ages, from newborn babies, teenagers, adults right up to the elderly.

Mellor Country House Manager Sharon is delighted Midshire havve chosen to support the home:

‘Being a small local charity predominately dependant on voluntary donations, Midshire help will make a huge difference to us and will be be massively appreciated by the people that come to stay. Every penny is accounted for and will be spent to the benefit of the charity.’

The money raised will be put towards a second kitchen refurbishment and the installation of 3 new showers which are needed due to the introduction of a new pressurised water system with water heated by the newly installed solar panels.

Midshire Marketing Manager Adrienne Topping said:

“As a business we are always looking for new challenges and were really inspired to help Mellor Country House upon meeting them. Knowing we can make such a difference to a local charity is fantastic! It’s a relationship, which we hope to develop long-term, and continue to support them in any way we can. Last year we raised over 45k for charity, so we know we can make a significant difference if we pool resources, ideas and effort.”

Laura is going to be volunteering for Progressio ICS for 10 weeks from the 31^st of March, alongside a local partnership organization working towards improving a community in Honduras in terms of education, livelihood and the environment. 

Laura said:

“The money raised ensures that the charity can continue to send volunteers overseas. I wanted to go out of my comfort zone to raise money for Progressio ICS, and a half marathon was definitely a challenge. It’s great that we got a team together, and were able to support Mellor Country House too!”

To donate to Mellor Country House please email: mellorcountryhou@btconnect.com

To donate to ProgressioICS please visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/laurastafford

For more information, please contact Marketing Manager Adrienne Topping, email: Adrienne@midshirenorth.co.uk or call: 0161 494 3376