Couch to 5K for The British Lung Foundation

In previous years, the RVT team has taken part in the Couch to 5K challenge, raising money for the British Lung Foundation (BLF). 10,000 people receive a new diagnosis of lung disease every week, with someone dying every five minutes as a result (the BLF). The British Lung Foundation provides support for sufferers and carries out vital research that can improve people’s quality of life as they fight lung disease.

The current COVID-19 crisis poses a huge threat to all of us, but the symptoms of the virus can be especially severe for older people and for those with pre-existing lung conditions. Unsurprisingly, the BLF helpline is now receiving three times as many calls than before. People are anxious for advice on how to both prevent and treat the virus when living with a pre-existing lung condition, and it currently costs the BLF £14 to answer each call and provide the support that people need (the BLF). The work that the BLF does is a cause very close to RVT’s heart; every year there are 18,000 new cases of occupational self-reported “breathing or lung problems” (HSE 2018/19). The BLF is one of the main organisations supporting people with occupational lung disease, and RVT wants to do all we can to help, particularly during this troubled time.

RVT’s company vision is to achieve a world where the impact of site work on life and health is effectively zero, and we always strive to care for others every day. The company is built on six core values that all staff members aim to follow. These values are: Can Do Attitude, Respect for All, Enthusiastic and Positive, Honest and Accountable, Deliver Excellence, and Care for Others. We find that a great way to show “Care for Others” is through donating to a range of charities, and we are very proud of our regular company-wide fundraising activities.

RVT’s Couch to 5K was originally booked for the 3^rd of June at the local Dartford Harriers Running Track. This has since been cancelled, but it does not mean that the Couch to 5K challenge is not going ahead. Instead, the RVT team is getting creative and completing the challenge from home! We are dusting off our treadmills, setting up running tracks in our gardens and going out for safe and socially distanced walks on local routes. Each team member has until the 30^thof June to complete their 5K walk or run, and the team are already training hard.

It's not only the 5K challenge that the team is getting creative with, though. As you can see above, the team have also been creating amazing rainbows at home. Here are some more for you to enjoy!

RVT’s board of directors have already kicked started our fundraising for The British Lung Foundation with a generous donation of £2,000! However, as participants are required to track their distance or step count for this challenge, the board has offered to also donate an amazing £50 for every team member who completes the 5K, fully demonstrating RVT’s “Care for Others” value! We would also be very grateful for any additional donations from suppliers, friends and family who wish to raise money for the fantastic work of the BLF. If you would like to support RVT’s Couch to 5K efforts then please follow this link to our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rvt-group1

Wouldn’t it be amazing if, between us, we could raise a total of £3500? At £14 per call, £3500 would enable the BLF to answer 250 calls to people who desperately need support through this difficult time.