Family-run construction firm Seddon has pledged their support to the Greater Manchester’s Mayor’s Homelessness Fund with a show-stopping firewalk.
The event, which took place at the company’s Bolton headquarters last Friday, marked the launch of Seddon’s year-long commitment to raising vital funds for the charity.
Siblings Jonathan Seddon, CEO of Seddon; Jamie Seddon, managing director of Seddon Developments; and Nicola Hodkinson, director of business services, walked barefoot over red-hot wood embers to kick off the company’s Ministry of Fun initiative, which is a calendar of fundraising events.
The trio led a 50-strong team over the 800-degrees Fahrenheit heat, with Dave Bagley – managing director of charity Urban Outreach – also braving the searing temperatures. Also in attendance was the Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Elaine Sherrington.
Jonathan Seddon, CEO of Seddon said: “It’s fantastic to see the whole business get behind this great cause and take part in the firewalk today. To have over 50 employees, including myself and my siblings, take part is a real testament to our commitment to help eradicate homelessness in the Greater Manchester region.”
The Homelessness Fund joins the Christie NHS Foundation Trust as one of Seddon’s chosen charities for 2019, with the company having already raised more than £800,000 for the renowned cancer centre over the last 22 years.
Now, Seddon is rallying its team – including those at head office and on-site – to back Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s pledge to eliminate the need for rough sleeping across the city region by 2020.
The GM Homelessness Fund, an independent charity, allocates funds to local organisations through a grant process
Among Seddon’s plans to raise cash for the Fund and the Christie are events such as an 85-mile bike ride, the Yorkshire Three Peaks and a zipwire challenge.
Tim Heatley, chair of at the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, said: “Seddon is well known for its creative and inclusive fundraising activities.
“The firewalk is a great example of how businesses like Seddon can raise funds for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s charity, whilst also raising awareness among its colleagues and customers.
“The trustees of the charity are delighted that Seddon has chosen the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity to benefit from its fundraising – the fire walk was great fun too.”
Nicola Hodkinson, business services director at Seddon, added: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with these two incredible organisations throughout 2019 to help raise awareness and funds for all the important work they do.
“Homelessness is a growing challenge for the city region and we’re proud to be a part of the efforts to find a solution. Additionally, cancer is a subject that affects us all and requires wide scale collaborative action – we’re confident that we’ll hit our fundraising target of £1 million for the Christie by 2020”
“At every possible chance we are looking at ways to actively engage and create initiatives that will make a real difference, and we look forward to building on what has already been a very successful partnership with both charities.”
