Launching this week, the Colt Charity Challenge will replace the annual Colt Charity Bike Ride, with participants this time challenged to cover 100,000 kilometres over two weeks, through a range of activities.
All Colt employees – and anybody in the “wider Colt community” – are collectively challenged to travel the 100,000 kilometre length of the Colt network by running, swimming, cycling, walking, dancing, rowing, kayaking. The rule is: if your activity can cover a distance, you’re in!
Colt has already raised €21,000 in pre-sign ups and has set a target of €150,000, which it will donate to children’s charities around the world.
The 2020 event was originally planned to run between Brussels and Dusseldorf and when registrations opened in March they sold out in “two minutes”. Colt said it was a record response, however as the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated, plans had to be amended.
Louisa Gregory, Colt's VP for inclusion and diversity, wrote in a blog: “Not deterred, we quickly refocused on the challenge of how we could still do the Colt Charity Bike Ride. We were clear on our goal and kept fundraising at the front of our minds to support our charity partners and to help keep Colties connected with a common purpose.”
The traditional Colt Charity Bike Ride takes 130 riders and 40 support crew on a 500km – 700km cycle over four days. It is Colt’s single biggest CSR event, and in the eight years it has been running the firm has donated more than €1.34 million to charities around the globe.
Gregory continued: “We were clear on finding a way that not only all Colt employees could participate, but also their families, friends, and even our wider industry community could join in too. We’ve kept our very ambitious target to raise €150,000 globally, and Colt will make fund-matching available to help push this higher, moving closer to our goal of raising €2 million by the event’s 10th anniversary in 2021.
“Now, more than ever before, our charity partners need our support. Covid-19 has plunged many charities into financial hardship, and this year the Colt Charity Challenge will support a number of local charitable organisations based in countries where Colt operates. As difficult as it will be to hit a combined 7,500km of activities per day during this challenge, these charities carry out vital work and need our support to continue their amazing efforts.”
