09.03.10Ultimate Challenge to raise £50,000 for children’s charity
A local businessman has pledged to raise £50,000 as part of a major fundraising drive for St Andrew's Children's Hospice in Grimsby. Chris Tonge, Sales and Marketing Director at Europarc-based Ultimate Packaging, is aiming to raise £1,000 for every year of his life through taking part in a series of challenges.
Chris' plan is to undertake ten monthly challenges over the course of the year and is calling on Ultimate's customers, suppliers and staff to make suggestions for challenges as well as pledging sponsorship.
"As I turn 50 I intend to embrace life and set myself some personal challenges, while having fun and raising as much money as possible for this very worthwhile cause, " says Chris. "Suggestions for challenges already include a skydive, a pillion ride with Double-World Superbike champion James Toseland, 24-hour Three Peak Challenge and even a full body wax but I'm hoping for a few more to come from customers, suppliers and staff - the more challenging the better!"
To kick-start the campaign, Chris presented St Andrew's Children's Hospice Fundraising Manager, Mike Gresham with a cheque for £5,000 at the hospice today. Chris and a team of nine other staff from Ultimate took part in the Cleethorpes Santa Run in December and the generous sponsorship came from friends and suppliers of Ultimate Packaging.
Mike Gresham fundraiser for the hospice commented: "We are delighted that Chris Tonge and the team at Ultimate are planning a fundraising campaign for St Andrew's. The £5,000 already raised from their contacts is a fantastic amount! Without the generosity of local companies and individuals we could not continue to provide the level of care that we do, so please get behind Chris and his Ultimate Challenge!"
"This challenge will be a great way to celebrate my 50th milestone birthday as well as Ultimate Packaging's tenth year at Europarc. We hope that our suppliers and customers as well as local people and businesses will get behind the campaign and help us to raise money for St Andrew's Children's Hospice," added Chris.
To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/chris-tonge