RVT Goes Above and Beyond for the Land’s End to John o’ Groats Virtual Challenge

Over the course of June, the RVT team took part in the Land’s End to John o’ Groats Virtual challenge.

What was the challenge?

Participants must cover the distance from the lowest point of the UK (Land’s End, Cornwall) to the highest point (John o’ Groats, Scotland). The route set out by the challenge equals a distance of 1,084 miles. As a virtual challenge, participants can complete the distance within their local area.

Why did the RVT team want to take part?

The team took part in this challenge to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK (formerly The British Lung Foundation).

Every day, RVT works to protect people and the environment, and exposure to uncontrolled hazards, such as dust and fume, can lead to devastating occupational lung disease later in life. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) states that 12,000 deaths occur every year from occupational lung disease, primarily through COPD, Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma. We believe that everyone deserves to go home healthy, and our aim is to change these statistics.

However, for those who are already living with occupational lung conditions, quality care is vital. The invaluable work of Asthma + Lung UK has built up a strong support network for over 22,000 people. Not only do they provide comprehensive free information about coping and living with a range of lung conditions, but they also facilitate over 200 support groups nationwide. Their helpline answers more than 20,000 calls a year, and just £22 allows an Asthma + Lung UK nurse to answer a call, offering potentially lifesaving advice.

What did the RVT team need to do?

The challenge was to complete the 1,084-mile distance as a team between the 1^st and 30^th of June. Team members pledged their individual distances, ranging from 10 to 250 miles, and worked to complete these through activities such as walking, running, swimming, rowing and cycling.

Did we conquer the challenge?

Living up to our company value of “deliver excellence”, the team smashed this challenge and completed the 1084-mile distance before the end of June. In fact, the team were so determined to beat the challenge and raise as much money as possible for Asthma + Lung UK, that an amazing 1,740 miles were completed across the board. Not only did this mean that we reached John O’ Groats, but that the team completed enough miles to get back home to our Dartford Head Office.

How much money did we raise?

Thanks to the generosity of the team, customers, suppliers and the RVT board of directors, the Land’s End to John O’ Groats challenge raised an incredible £3,810.

This sum of money will help to support Asthma + Lung’s essential work and is the equivalent of over 170 essential helpline calls.

What will RVT’s next fundraising venture be? Watch this space!

See the charities we support here.