By Andy Allsopp, LGcomms Chair
There probably isn’t a colleague reading this who’s life hasn’t been touched in some way by cancer, with someone who you know, or love, or perhaps your own life and health directly affected by the disease.
That why LGcomms is proud to have become a supporter of the Public Sector Challenge, which raises money for Cancer Research UK by taking on an annual hill walking challenger.
In 2024, teams from councils and other public sector organisations will be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which is a 24-mile round trip taking in the Pennine ridge, the head of the River Ribble and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The challenge involves taking on the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough, in under 12 hours, starting at 6am and finishing (all being well) by 6pm. The walk/climb is a loop, starting and finishing in Chapple-le-Dale, next to the Old Hill Inn (where excellent food and drink is available). The date for the event is Friday, 6th September.
Jonathan Stephenson, the Chief Executive of Braintree and Rochford District Councils, founded the Challenge in 2022, and since then it has grown in participant size and fundraising, and is now supported by the likes of SOLACE, the LGA, MJ magazine and numerous private sector partners. Last year the funding target was £50,000, and eventually £60,000 was raised.
There are three ways you and your comms and marketing teams can get involved in the 2024 Challenge:
- Form a team, or sign up as an individual, fundraise and take part on the big day in early September;
- Donate via LGcomms or any of the other supporters, via the Public Sector Challenge website – www.publicsectorchallenge.co.uk
- Help staff the event on the day at the start finish, and support with communications including social media for the organisers
If you would like to take part on behalf of your council or public sector organisation, or would like to join an LGcomms walking team, drop us a line at hello@lgcomms.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you.