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Malcolm & Karen Simpson |
Team effort to benefit NHS Ayrshire & Arran plus local Ayrshire charities
PRESS RELEASE: SimpsInns Lockdown Challenge
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION: Monday 11th May, 2020
JustGiving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simpsinns-ayrshire-scotland1
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Simpsinns
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpsinns
Hashtag: #AyrshireHeroes
The family-owned SimpsInns Group and their team completed a 100-kilometre 21-day Lockdown Challenge and helped to raise over £17,000 for key frontline heroes at the NHS and local Ayrshire charities.
At a most difficult time for everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic, the team at SimpsInns first came up with the idea as a way to keep in touch and encourage each other to retain daily exercise routines, while raising funds for such worthy causes.
It was a challenge embraced by all, including SimpsInns owners Karen and Malcolm Simpson, their sons Lee and Jack and partners and of course their dog Maggie!
In the last three weeks, team members and Gailes gym members were invited to take on the challenge and help raise funds through the company’s JustGiving page. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simpsinns-ayrshire-scotland1
Individuals and their families took to the challenge with gusto. Some got the trainers on and clocked up the miles, others clicked into their pedals and cycled, while others walked as family members from the same households also got involved.
A target of £1,500 was set on the JustGiving Page with funds going direct to the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Board. However, the team smashed the target to raise over £2,000. And if the team met their £1,500 target, Karen and Malcolm promised to donate a further £15,000 to help other Ayrshire charities.
All monies will now go to NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Whiteleys Retreat, Ayr, Irvine Cancer Care, Centre Stage in Kilmarnock and the North Ayrshire Food Bank Community Group.
“What started out as a bit fun, quickly gathered momentum and here we are with a wonderful total raised that will hopefully help towards some very worthy Ayrshire causes at this difficult time,” explained Karen Simpson.
“Our team really bought into the Lockdown Challenge and were so encouraging of each other. It was great for team spirit and morale while we all got our daily exercise. We’re really proud of everyone’s efforts.
“More importantly, it was our small way of saying thank you to all the Ayrshire Heroes, the key frontline workers at the NHS and elsewhere, who continue to give their all to help keep the rest of us safe.
“We hope some of the local Ayrshire charities can also benefit too for it is times like these that community spirit really comes to the fore.”
(SimpsInns will arrange for donation cheques to be made payable to the Ayrshire charities listed in the release and all monies raised through the JustGiving page is donated direct to the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Health Board).
-ENDS
Pics
1. Simpsinns owners Malcolm and Karen Simpson at The Gailes Hotel in Irvine
2. A montage of SimpsInns team members during their Lockdown Challenge
Sample Team Testimonials
“I’ve enjoyed getting out and about round my local area where I wouldn’t normally go. We are so lucky to have so much on our doorstep. It’s been great seeing everyone’s photos and comments - what a team!…It’s been great to have a positive focus and something to achieve!” – Claire Hajri
“I have loved discovering little parts of Irvine that I have never walked to before. I've loved the exercise. But mostly I've loved spending time just with Garry and Sophie looking for butterflies and swans.” – Kimberley Pyper
“I have loved being able to the challenge as a team and with a lot of my family and friends taking part too has given us all something to do together and encourage each other along the way…Very proud of our wee team xx – Sarah Johnstone
“My knee was so bad before I started, I was in constant pain and I could hardly walk. Now my mobility is much better and the pain is much more bearable. I love cycling and I will definitely keep in the saddle.” – Dominic Bell
“I have loved getting out the house and walking to places I don’t normally go! I’ve been able to spend quality time with family too…Proud to support our local hero’s- what a team to do it with.” - Rebekah MacIntosh
“I've enjoyed getting back into some sort of exercise, as it was well overdue, I'll def be keeping it up, go team simpsinns xx” - Norah Allan Miller
“Have loved taking part in the challenge and seeing everyone’s posts, the team spirit we have shown to one another is heart-warming and the amount raised phenomenal.” - Vera Speirs