Wood for Trees takes on the Camino de Santiago

Here at Wood for Trees, supporting charities is at the heart of everything that we do. We love that every day we are able to use our data and analytical skills to help our clients do great things for some great causes, but even more, we also love to get stuck in and raise money and contribute to these causes ourselves… And we also love a good challenge!

This week sees the start of our latest team challenge, all with the aim to raise money for some fantastic charities chosen by the teams taking part.  Throughout March, the team will be getting their walking boots on, brushing up on their Spanish, and getting in touch with their spiritual side. We will be walking the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain, and tackling the 463 miles distance between Saint Jean Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees, all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain – theoretically, of course!

With UK lockdown rules still in effect, we’re not yet allowed to leave the country (as much as we’d love to!) so we’re taking part and completing the challenge in the comfort of our own homes and their surroundings. We’ll be walking the Camino de Santiago in our gardens and the countryside all around the UK. All of the miles we have collectively walked as a team will be logged and our teams will be competing against one another to complete the route in the fastest time.

Wood for Trees will also be making a donation for every 10 miles we complete, with a bonus for the team that finishes first. In fact, our Managing Director, Jon Kelly, has even promised the teams a couple of surprises and Sangria at the end of the month!

Here are the charities our teams have chosen, and their reasons why:

Team Wino: Dorothy House

‘Dorothy House is a magical hospice based in Wiltshire. They focus on quality of life and helping people to live well and die well. My mum spent her final week in their care and they honestly couldn’t have done more to help us all. It really is a special place full of special people.’ – Lotte

Team Walk This Way: Penny Brohn UK

‘Penny Brohn UK provided the mental and physical support required to allow my partner to support her breast cancer treatment. They have done a brilliant job in helping her make a lasting difference on how she lives her life cancer-free.’ – Tim

Team Wambled: The National Search And Rescue Dog Association (NSARDA)

‘As a team, we suggested different ideas on the type of charity to support based on the event and its virtual location (walking in the Pyrenees). Ideas included mental health, environment, and mountain rescue. The latter gave me the idea of supporting NSARDA. They’re a charity I’ve supported in the past following the tragic death of one of my climbing friends nearly 24 years ago. NSARDA Search Dogs are used to search for the many different types of missing people such as hill walkers, climbers, the elderly and confused persons that may be suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, those that are despondent, children, and sometimes victims of crime.’ – Ben

Team Jefferson Perez: Bath RUH Forever Friends appeal

The Forever Friends Appeal funds projects that make a real difference to the lives of patients cared for by the Royal United Hospital (RUH) Bath. For two months, my family benefited from the amazing care of both the maternity ward and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. When my daughter was born at 33 weeks, the incredible staff gave her the best possible start in life and supported us brilliantly while they looked after her. – Andrew

As we embark on this challenge, we’ll be sharing regular updates about our theoretical trip across northern Spain and more information about the charities that we have chosen. But for now, let’s take a little trip down memory lane and revisit just some of the previous challenges we’ve completed here at Wood for Trees in aid of some fantastic causes.

2010:
The Great Escape Challenge for Marie Curie Cancer Care, the start of our fundraising journey… What a throwback!

2011:
The Jurassic Coast Walk – a 32-mile long walk across the Devon coast for Sense.

2012:
The London Triathalon for Amnesty International – swimming, riding, and running all included! 

2013:
Cycle from Corkers Hill in Bristol to Tits Wood near Frome for Breakthrough Breast Cancer (now known as Breast Cancer Now) – we even had some family members take part!

2016:
Revolve24 – a 24-hour cycle around Brands Hatch for Dorothy House.

2019:
Half Marathon for Julia’s House, with our Analyst, Kayleigh Philps running the distance!

And let’s not forget the numerous bake sales, Christmas jumper days, and pub quizzes we’ve taken part in for various charities along the way. It’s definitely safe to say we’re all really looking forward to this next challenge and some of us may even be starting to get a little bit competitive! 

You can keep up with how the teams are getting on, along with other Wood for Trees news, by signing up for our newsletter below. Alternatively, you can also check us out on LinkedIn too.