Staff bear up for challenge

Employees from 18 sites and offices travelled the length and breadth of the UK using only non-motorised transport. The teams cycled, paddled and walked their section of the journey before handing over the special cuddly Kier Bear baton to the next Kier team, with supporters able to track their progress on Twitter by using the hashtag #wheresthebear.

After starting in Ayrshire, employees travelled across the country with Kier Bear to sites in Liverpool, Plymouth and London before returning home to Kier’s head office in Tempsford.

The money raised has been split between 11 local charities chosen by the Kier teams, as well as The Kier Foundation, an independently registered charity that supports both Kier’s charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support, and other charitable causes close to its employees and the communities it operates in.

Kier employees Jessica Plocins and Claire Lepoutre present the cheque to Lister Hospital staff after the bear baton challenge.

The Tempsford-based team chose to donate the money they raised to the Magic of Play appeal for East and North Herts NHS Trust, which is raising funds to build a new playroom for children staying at the Lister Hospital.

East and North Herts Hospitals Charity fundraiser, Zoe Doherty, said: “We are extremely grateful to Kier for their very generous donation of £1,718.76 toward our Magic of Play Appeal. It’s never very nice for children having to stay in hospital. with Kier’s support we will ensure that we can provide the 3,000 poorly children who visit the Lister Hospital every year with a playroom that is warm, vibrant and which caters for every age and every illness. A massive thank you to everyone at Kier who helped raise this very generous donation.”

Sean Jeffery, Kier executive director for infrastructure, said: “I would like to say a really big heart-felt thank you to everyone who took part, donated vehicles and equipment and sponsored our employees.

“Kier people have big hearts when it comes to charity, and will always rally round to help the causes close to their hearts. But even so, I was astounded at the enthusiasm that our teams took to this most challenging of challenges with, and I am so proud of the fantastic amount we’ve raised for both vital local charities, and our own Kier Foundation.”