Intrepid employees from Ernst & Young’s Birmingham office took on the gruelling challenge of walking 50 miles in under 24 hours for a charity event.
Seven employees from the Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services team (FIDS) – a group that specialises in forensic accounting services, including fraud investigation and expert witness services - took part in the annual Longmynd Hike, a competition to scale eight peaks in South Shropshire within 24 hours.
With sponsorship money still coming in, the team have raised over #3000 for Ernst & Young’s chosen charity, Acorn’s Children’s Hospice, including #1,000 that has been pledged by the firm.
Henry Pocock, Assistant Director from Ernst and Young’s Birmingham office, was one of those to complete the challenge.
He said: “It was a real test of endurance and our feet have certainly suffered, but it was a fantastic experience and definitely well worth the blisters.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our colleagues. As well the sponsorship money raised, we have also been able to add the proceeds from an auction of a Red Letter day experience package.
“We had originally hoped to raise #1,000, so to exceed that amount by such a significant margin is a real achievement for everyone involved.”
Sara Fowler, head of Ernst & Young’s FIDS team said: “Ernst & Young actively supports employees who take part in fundraising activities independently and see this as complementary to our CSR programme.
“Through our CSR programme, each employee can take two days per year to participate in charitable projects. We have had a really positive response from everyone involved and hope to see the scheme continue to grow.
“The FIDS team has been particularly active in supporting charitable initiatives and in addition to the hike, have recently spent a day clearing brambles at Kings Norton Reserve.
She added: “Key to the success of the CSR programme is its flexibility in allowing employees to choose the activities in which they wish to participate. We are supportive of all such activity and this enables people to get involved with projects that are important to them.”
