More companies than ever before took up the Challenge this summer as Gwent based businesses of all sizes rolled up their sleeves and pit their wits against each other to raise money for GWT’s Corporate £50 Challenge. The aim to raise money for the ongoing work of Gwent Wildlife Trust to restore, recreate and reconnect a Living Landscape in Gwent.

The Corporate £50 Challenge, now in its third year, took place over throughout the summer with 14 businesses taking part – more than double that of last year! Businesses had 12 weeks to raise as much as possible. Over £1,000 has been raised so far. The winner this year was Bluebird Bookkeeping, Cardiff. Owner, Gillian Ormiston, successfully completed a swim challenge, swimming 50 consecutive lengths of front crawl in a 25m pool. She raised £306 in sponsorship with support from her colleagues at BNI Quinnell Chapter.

Gillian said, “When I started training for this early in May, I couldn’t even manage half a length. I finally did my 50 length front crawl swim and I’m very proud to say I did it in 37 minutes. Seeing my donation pot going up worked wonders for my motivation while I was training.”

Debbie Stenner, Senior Fundraising & Partnership Officer at GWT commented, “The support of local businesses is vital to the work of the Wildlife Trusts – and Gwent’s natural environment is important to local businesses. The money raised through this challenge will help to preserve habitats in Gwent where people and wildlife can live and thrive.”

GWT would like to thank all businesses who took part:

Ancre Hill Estates, Ashley HR Consultancy, Bluebird Bookkeeping, Ed Fitzgerald Coaching, Field Training Services, Forte Music Distribution, ask4leasing, Heath Vets, NFU Mutual Abergavenny, Penarth Management, Rockadove, Therapease Ltd and UHY Hacker Young.

GWT would like to invite anyone who would like to find out about how to support the local environment with their business to get in touch: [email protected], 01600 740600.