Cars, costumes and challenges came together in a rally taking staff from Harrison Clark Rickerbys across the country and into Europe in their quest to raise money for local charities, bringing fundraising to more than £50,000 over the last three months.
The Gumball Rally, which saw 19 teams taking part from across the firm, took them across the country, performing challenges which ranged from a group ‘flossing’ performance and creating a human pyramid to taking a picture of the white cliffs of Dover along the way.
They then went over to France and Belgium, ending up in Antwerp on Saturday evening. Each team had a theme for both their car and their costumes – from Scooby Doo and the Mystery Machine to Mario Kart, Toy Story, the Flintstones and pirates; the teams travelled in costume throughout.
The rally followed managing partner Rod Thomas’ Berlin Marathon run last weekend; staff also tackled the Three Peaks Challenge in June.
The charity has raised and distributed close to £250,000 to charities since it was set up – they range from Sight Concern to junior football clubs, from the Me2 Club (which supports children with additional needs) to a homeless hostel.
Rich Wilkey said: “The rally was great fun – a lot of work went into its organisation, but staff really entered into the spirit of it all; performing Baby Shark outside a house with a shark in its roof, re-creating a scene from Titanic on the ferry and generally being ready to look silly for a seriously good cause.
“The charity trustees will meet before the end of the year to decide how the money raised will be distributed – we want to make sure it has maximum impact.”
The money will be considered for distribution later in the year to charities around the firm’s eight offices through its own HCR Hewitsons charity.
Charities who want to apply to the charity for support should contact [email protected].
