Midland Scaffolding Services (MSS) celebrated their fundraising success after raising thousands of pounds for Caudwell Children.
The company pledged to raise £20,000 for the charity, which supports disabled and neurodivergent children and their families, with colleagues taking on an ultra-marathon, running from Birmingham to Northampton.
The charity challenge, called 50 Miles for Poppy, was completed by Ben Ekins and Jordan Harrison, who were inspired to take on the fitness feat by colleague Gary Rouse’s baby daughter Poppy, who was born with Down’s syndrome and a heart condition, which recently required major surgery.
The MSS team was inundated with generous donations, amazing raffle prizes and support from multiple companies, suppliers and customers who backed the charity campaign which culminated in a family fun day at Northampton Town Football Club to welcome Ben and Jordan across the finish line after their mammoth run.
Although Gary was unable to attend the fundraising event, as he was with Poppy as she recovered in hospital following her heart surgery, he sent motivational messages to both Ben and Jordan ahead of their run and shared his heartfelt thanks with everyone.
He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement by all, a great effort with great organisation from start to finish – thank you all very much.
“It’s been a tough year for me and my family and it still is, but we battle on every day. I must say a massive thank you to MSS, the company has supported me all this year and helped me out more than I could have possibly imagined.
“All of you really have helped me along the way. We still have got a long way to go but Poppy is doing OK after the operation, which went well and according to plan, and she’s recovering. It’s very tough being with her in hospital, but as long as she’s OK, that’s the most important thing. She’s a really very special part and addition to our family and we all love her to the moon and back.”
On the day of the ultra-marathon it was sunny, hot and humid, with temperatures rising into the high 20s, adding to the challenges of the running route. After crossing the finish line to the ecstatic cheers of the crowds who turned out to show their support, both runners were relieved to have completed the challenge.
MSS Contracts Director Ben said: “Now I’ve completed the ultra-marathon I’m very tired, very sore and quite emotional. The toughest part was the hills, the cross country and the elevation changes. The heat played a massive part, trying to get fuel in and stay hydrated, so the stopping and starting was a big challenge. But it’s been a massive achievement and I am very proud of what we’ve done.”
MSS Estimator Jordan added: “The running was pretty hard and, with my complexion, the heat wasn’t great, but I’ve completed an ultra-marathon, so I feel pretty emotional and I’m feeling good. It’s all for a great cause, so I’m happy.”
A team from the charity was also there to congratulate them on their incredible achievement, which helped to smash the original fundraising target.
Amy Helliwell, Marketing Operations Manager for Caudwell Children, said: “A huge thank you to Ben, Jordan, everybody at Midland Scaffolding Services and to everyone who has donated to Caudwell Children, which provides support and services to thousands of neurodivergent and disabled children and their families every year.
“It’s incredible that they ran 50 miles all in the aid of Caudwell Children. It was fantastic to see them at the finish line and an honour to shake their hands and speak to them afterwards.
“Midland Scaffolding Services has put their heart and their soul into their fundraising efforts. It is amazing to see how much they have raised, and every single penny will go to help a child. It means we can support more children and their families and continue to bring them the services they desperately need. Our vision for the future is to see that every child is empowered, thrives and has the potential to be who they want to be, no matter what that looks like for them.
“That’s why we’re also awarding Midland Scaffolding Services with our Fundraising for Change moment, to recognise not just the miles they’ve run, but the difference they’ve made. Their passion and commitment show the real power of community in helping children and families thrive.”
Amie Bailey, Commercial Director at MSS, was delighted with the success of the family fun day event and that the company was able to raise so much money, which will be able to offer support and services to Poppy, Gary and family in the future.
Amie said: “We want to thank everyone, including all of our customers and suppliers who donated all the fantastic raffle prizes and helped us hit the £20,000 target.
“It is great to raise lots of money for charity but it was always about one thing and that was Poppy and, in true MSS style, we stick by our own. I know all the runners and riders who took part in the 50 Miles for Poppy charity challenge were doing it with Gary, Poppy and family in mind. We have raised an amazing amount of money and without everyone supporting us it wouldn’t have been possible.”
MSS colleagues, families and friends celebrated Ben and Jordan’s fantastic fundraising achievements at the finish line event, which included live entertainment and fun-filled activities at the football club, which the Northamptonshire-based business sponsors.
MSS Director Lisa Rooney said: “They’ve done something a lot of people couldn’t do – they’ve trained so hard for this and it is just incredible. Thank you to everyone who has supported this amazing charity and the day because without their support these charities wouldn’t be able to exist – it has been amazing.”
Amie added: “It is incredible what Ben and Jordan and all the other supporting runners and riders have done, we are so proud of them all. It was an emotional day – they have all done amazingly well and we couldn’t be prouder of them. We’ve got some great suppliers, great customers, and a great workforce – we couldn’t ask for better people to be surrounding us and to be surrounding Gary and his family.”
You can support the 50 Miles for Poppy appeal here. To find out more about Midland Scaffolding Services, visit their website.
