A 15.5-mile challenge brought colleagues, families and four-legged friends together to help children and families across Yorkshire facing adversity.
The team at Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) went the extra mile for The Principle Trust Children’s Charity this September, taking on a 15.5-mile fundraising walk in celebration of our 15th anniversary.
On Saturday 12th September, the team set off from DWS headquarters in Bingley, following the Leeds and Liverpool Canal before crossing the finish line at Granary Wharf in Leeds.
With strong community ties and a proud Yorkshire heritage, DWS wanted to support a charity making a difference to children and families close to home and what a difference they have made.
A challenge everyone could be part of
One of the loveliest aspects of the day was seeing just how many people came together to take part.
The challenge was designed to be as inclusive as possible. Some colleagues tackled the entire 15.5-mile route, while others joined for shorter sections according to their individual abilities.
And it wasn’t just the DWS team getting involved. Families joined the adventure too, with babies carried and pushed in prams, children cycling alongside the walkers and even some four-legged friends helping the team on their way!
Together, they raised an incredible £1,760 for The Principle Trust.
£1,760 that could make memories for three children
To put that fantastic fundraising total into perspective, £1,760 could support three children facing adversity to experience a free, week-long respite break alongside their families.
The Principle Trust supports children and families across Yorkshire facing a wide range of adversity, including mental health challenges, trauma, abuse, poverty, bereavement, serious illness, neurodiversity and disability.
For these families, respite is about so much more than simply going on holiday.
When everyday life has become dominated by anxiety, difficult circumstances, appointments or financial pressures, a week away can provide valuable space to stop and breathe. It gives families time to rest, reconnect and have fun together, and gives children the opportunity to simply enjoy being children.
Whether it’s playing on the beach, exploring somewhere new or simply laughing together as a family, these experiences create positive memories that can stay with children long after they return home.
Sometimes, a week away can give a family something that lasts far longer than seven days.
Tom Walton, Service & Business Continuity Director at DWS said:
“Taking on the canal walk was a fantastic challenge, and it was brilliant to see everyone come together to support such an important cause. We’d like to thank everyone at The Principle Trust Children’s Charity for their support throughout the campaign. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve raised and hope the funds will make a meaningful difference to children and families across our local community.”
Kerry Magson, Head of Partnerships, Service Delivery and Engagement at The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, added:
“From us all at The Principle Trust, we would like to extend a huge thanks to the team at DWS for taking on the Locks to Leeds challenge and choosing to fundraise for our charity. It was fantastic to see the whole team get behind the walk, and everyone had a vital role to play. Every penny raised really does mean so much to the families we support.”
There’s still time to support Team DWS
The walking may be over and the aching feet hopefully recovering, but there’s still time to show your support!
If you’d like to congratulate the DWS team on their fantastic achievement and help take their fundraising total even higher, you can still make a donation through their Locks to Leeds fundraising page:
👉 Support Team DWS and make a donation
Every additional donation will help us provide more children and families across Yorkshire facing adversity with precious time away together – time to rest, reconnect and make memories that last.
Thank you, Team Don Whitley Scientific
From everyone at The Principle Trust, a heartfelt thank you to every person who walked, cycled, donated, supported and helped make the challenge possible.
As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, days like this remind us that our work has always been powered by an incredible community of people and businesses who choose to stand alongside the children and families we support.
Thank you, DWS, for going the distance and joining us in our mission of making memories that last.
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