As Mental Health Awareness week draws to a close, colleagues wellbeing, health, and fitness has never been more important, especially as we continue to emerge from lockdown restrictions.
Claritas Tax, one of the UK’s largest independent multi-disciplinary tax advisory practices, has gone one further by challenging its employees to take on a One-Mile Challenge. Throughout April, colleagues either ran or power walked for a mile, recording their time at each attempt, with the hope of improving their time throughout the month.
The colleague who showed the most improved time at the end of the month was crowned the winner, with each collective second of improvement being converted into £1 of money to be donated to charity. With 17 colleagues from across the business taking part, a collective improvement total of 16 minutes and nine seconds was recorded.
Overall, the initiative raised £969 pounds for charity, with the colleague who showed the most improvement in their times choosing which charity the money should go to.
Najma Qamar has chosen to donate the money to Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, a charity which specialises in research into the causes of Pulmonary Fibrosis – https://www.actionpf.org/.
Najma Qamar adds: “I really enjoyed being a part of this challenge and found it helped me refocus myself for my work. To be able to raise £969 for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis is amazing and thanks to everyone for taking part and laying down the challenge. Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis do such great work and we’re happy to be able to show our support.
Iain Wright, Partner at Claritas Tax commented: “Not only was this a great challenge to raise money for charity, but it has also helped with colleagues’ mental wellbeing. It is hugely important that, as we emerge from lockdown, we don’t forget the importance of looking after our own Mental Health and that of our colleagues. A little friendly rivalry doesn’t hurt either, not when it’s all in aid of a good cause”.
The challenge was the brainchild of Sam Giles, Tax Assistant at Claritas Tax, who joined Claritas’ graduate programme in 2017. Sam wanted to get everyone involved in the initiative, whilst also using it as an opportunity to raise much-needed funds for charity.
Sam says: “As a graduate, most people would think my role would be solely about project work, however Claritas has the right balance and I am able to suggest opportunities like the one-mile challenge and help to give something back to charity, whilst having a positive impact on my colleagues’ wellbeing as well”.
