Fundraising news

Steven Kenny

Charity challenge ‘peaks’ the interest of the Axis team

Axis employees and partners put their physical abilities to the test in an outdoor team-building activity to raise money for worthy causes that are very close to their hearts.

A team of Axis employees, together with colleagues from several partner organisations from across the security industry, challenged themselves to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks on 20 May 2021. A team completed the National Three Peaks back in 2019, and Axis and partners once again rose to the challenge to tackle a different, though no less demanding, mountain range to raise money for charity.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which form part of the impressive Pennine mountain range within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The challenge sees walkers traverse the peaks one after another over a route of 24 miles (38.6km), including 1585m (5200ft) of ascent, with a target completion time of under 12 hours. Axis’ Steven Kenny spoke of the event, “Having completed the National Three Peaks back in 2019, now felt like the right time to do our next long mountain walk. Once again, we have chosen charities that are close to our hearts and ones that we know do some fantastic work. We will continue to support PTSD Resolution who do some incredible work for our colleagues across the security industry and their families; we have also chosen NHS Charities Together, a very worthwhile charity, especially in the current climate.”

PTSD Resolution helps women and men who have served in the army to readjust to society and a work / familylife balance. NHS Charities Together, much publicised due to the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore, funds projects that improve services for patients and supports NHS staff and volunteers so that they can continue with their vital life-saving work. The Axis team set up a crowdfunding page to make it easy to split donations between the two charities. Axis is also in contact with The Big Give, providing a platform to boost charity fundraising that will enable received donations to be doubled. Activities for bonding and developing employees are a key part of Axis culture, characterised by commitment, collaboration, openness, entrepreneurship and taking responsibility. Axis believes that a good work environment promotes healthy relationships, enhances creativity and contributes to innovation.

Steven concludes, “While we give so much of ourselves while undertaking such challenges, it’s great to also be giving something back at the same time. Events like this help us strengthen relationships with our team mates and wider colleagues, while the sense of camaraderie and requirement for close cooperation and teamwork really helps us all feel a valued part of the Axis family."