Finning (UK) Social Awareness
During 2009 our employees raised an amazing £25,300 through taking part in charitable activities. Here are just a few examples of what they have achieved.
Steven Reid
Steven Reid from our Power Systems division climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (20,000ft) with friends raising an amazing £2,885 for Finning customer, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Gregg Wheeler, Chris Osborne & David Kennerley
A team from Finning Cannock workshop took part in the Sutton Fun Run in May to raise funds for St Giles Hospice.
Nick Mullinger
On Fathers Day, Nick Mullinger, Project Engineer from Power Systems completed the London to Brighton cycle race in aid of the British Heart Foundation. His daughter was waiting to congratulate him in raising £535 for the charity.
Race For Life
A number of Finning ladies took part in Race For Life events around the UK in aid of Cancer Research. In total raising £3,000 for the charity.
Dragon Boat Race Team
In August, a team brought together by Finning warranty supervisor, Neil Paddock took part in the Cannock Rotary Club Dragon Boat Challenge at Chasewater Country Park. The majority of the 17 person crew were Finning employees along with Kent Greenwell from Caterpillar. Despite claiming the third fastest time of the day from 16 boats over three rounds, the Finning team were pipped in the semi final. Despite aching limbs and some wet backsides to show for it, a good day out was had by all. Monies raised, including the £300 Finning group team sponsorship will go to Staffordshire Air Ambulance.
Conquering Snowdon
A team from Cannock Parts Operations and Llantrisant branch walked up Snowdon in September in aid The British Heart Foundation. The team started in sunshine at the bottom, but this quickly turned to freezing mist as they neared the summit. Despite this and blisters for some, the team enjoyed the climb and expect to have raised over £1,600. Thanks to all sponsors including kind donations from Chambers and Cook, Wolverine, Norscot, Finning and Bradmore Social Club.
Stephen Land, Richard Smith
Stephen Land and Richard Smith both from Service Control at Finning Leeds branch took part in the three bridges motorcycle endurance challenge, which saw them covering 1,009 miles over the Forth, Kincarden and Severn bridges within 19.5 hours. Starting on a Saturday morning and finishing at 5.30am on Sunday morning, they were saddle sore but had raised much needed funds for Martin House, Yorkshire’s first children’s hospice.
Richard Hale
Richard Hale took part in the Cardiff 10K run in support of Kidney Research Wales, raising £188. Apparently Richard had the pleasure of seeing singer Katherine Jenkins also taking part which made the run a bit easier going!
Dean Mincher
Finning Cannock Workshop Engineer, Dean Mincher organized a number of charity events during the year to raise enough funds to take part in St Giles Hospice's Trek to Peru. Dean spent 10 days trekking in Peru with 26 other fund raisers which included a visit to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. Dean blew his target of £3,200, raising an amazing £4,116 for the Hospice.
Jamie Young
Fourth year apprentice from Finning Leed’s Component Rebuild Centre, Jamie Young took part in a Martial Arts Challenge in November, in which they had to achieve 4,000 points in a 6 hour period. After completing the challenge in 4 hours the remaining time was well spent instructing members of the public the basics of martial arts.
Ivor Mathias
Finning Power Systems' Ivor Mathias helped members of his family organise a fundraising evening for the Help for Heroes charity. Ivor asked colleagues to donate novelties as raffle prizes for the WW II themed evening, held at the Ascot Tavern in Cannock. £514 was raised on the night and £442 from donations online making a grand total of £956!
Brian Wells
Regional Parts Co-ordinator Brian Wells from Finning Halstead branch helped to organise a sponsored tractor run in July. 27 tractors took part travelling in convoy over a 12 mile course, raising £1,200 for the local St Helena Hospice and McMillan Nurses.
Justin Owen
Heights are not a problem for Justin Owen, Business Improvement Lead (right), who abseiled down the Liver Building in Liverpool with members of Chester’s Sub-Aqua Club (which Justin chairs), in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.
Charity Days
Comic Relief
Our employees enjoyed dressing up for Comic Relief 2009 raising £2,717 in the proceeds.
Children In Need
OIn November 2009, our kind hearted employees raised £3729 for the BBC's Children In Need
Community Support
School Kids Glow in the Dark Thanks to Finning
Local school children from Midmar Primary school have been spotted glowing in the dark thanks to Finning sales representative John Middleton was quick to step in and come to the aid of the school when he heard about their need to keep the children safe en route to the local community hall. "Being a small rural school, the staff and children rely heavily on the community hall to provide a facility for their physical activities and school productions. With the nights quickly drawing in, keeping safe and being seen on our roadsides is paramount, so we were only too happy to provide high visibility vests for their 53 school children and teaching staff." Head teacher Elizabeth Shepherd, commented: "Thanks to Finning we have brightened the children’s journey and more importantly dealt with an important health & safety issue for us." John Middleton from Finning added: "Safety is at the heart of everything we do, so it's great that such a small gesture from Finning can make such a big difference in keeping our local school children safe."
Finning Support Newport Gwent Dragon Youth Rugby Skills Camps
During the summer, Finning Construction South West supported the Newport Gwent Dragons youth rugby skills camps held at the Rodney Parade ground, for the second year running. The junior rugby fans had the chance to brush up on their rugby skills and learn the latest techniques of the game, with the help of the region’s community development coaches and of course got to meet the Newport Gwent Dragons players themselves!
Thank you from White Rabbits Nursery
The White Rabbits Nursery wrote in to thank Finning Sales Manager Lee Andrews for donating a framed Leicester Tigers photo for their charity auction, which helped them raise just over £1,500.
The money will be given to Birmingham Children's Hospital (Cancer Ward), who are currently treating a child who attends the White Rabbits Nursery.