It’s been a year of climbing, canoeing, baking, cycling, and much more – and we’re delighted to end the year by handing over a huge £75,000 to good causes as we wrap up our Selwood #75for75 challenge.

Through a combination of the awesome efforts of Selwood’s teams and a top-up donation from the company, we’ve reached the ambitious target we set ourselves to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of Selwood.

Every single penny raised will go to local good causes nominated by team members at Selwood branches around the UK. It’s the largest amount we’ve ever raised in the biggest fundraiser we’ve ever organised, involving scores of our exceptional team members throwing themselves into a huge range of activities.

Richard Brown, Selwood CEO, who took part in a wing-walking challenge to play his part in the fundraiser, said: “We are thrilled to be distributing £75,000 to deserving causes and be making a real difference to them, especially this year as many continue to struggle with the challenges of the pandemic.

“We couldn’t have done this without the commitment of Selwood people around the country, who embraced #75for75 wholeheartedly. I would like to thank them all for their efforts, and also offer our sincere thanks to every single person and organisation that supported us with donations and encouragement. It’s the perfect way to end the year.”

The roster of #75for75 activities carried out by Selwood employees is far too long to list in full. Some of them included:

  • A Three Peaks Challenge which saw participants scale Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, battling 32-degree heat to complete all three in under 26 hours.
  • A canoeing challenge on the River Wye – a journey of more than 80 miles taking in torrential rain, and high winds over four exhausting days.
  • A barbecue at our head office in Chandlers Ford, which saw guests enjoying burgers and brownies and raising over £400.
  • A “virtual cycle ride” around our Southern branches by our London branch team – covering the 1,097 miles from Dartford to Bedford to Great Yarmouth to Nottingham, on to Birmingham, to Bridgend and back via Bristol, Saltash. Weymouth, Chandlers Ford and Bracknell. Our Liverpool team carried out a similar challenge, covering more than 300 miles!
  • A 19-hour golf challenge covering 72 holes!
  • A walk along the Clarendon Way from Salisbury Cathedral to Winchester – a mammoth 27 miles.
  • Afternoon tea at our Glasgow branch – including the raffle of a cake in the style of a Selwood lorry.
  • Individuals taking on cycle rides, the Peak District Challenge, and a commitment to walk a mile a day for a month.

There were many, many more but we hope that gives a flavour of the lengths our teams went to so they could make a real difference to causes close to their hearts.

We are now in the process of distributing the funds to charities and will then close the appeal. As we do, we’d like to wish a Merry Christmas and peaceful new year to all Selwood customers, suppliers, team members and supporters.