A team of Reaseheath College staff successfully completed an ambitious charity triathlon challenge to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.

The nine-strong team from the college’s Human Resources department spent seven weeks collectively running/walking, cycling, and swimming in support of the College’s RAG (Raising and Giving) charity of the year.

Louise Woodman, Becki Newton-Chesters, Caroline Belshaw, Sue Poole, Beth Browning, Cath Pilsbury, Sam Straker, Sarah Groom, and Jamie Lavery smashed their initial target of 2,400km, conquering an impressive 2,797.61km in total, and raising more than £200.

Their dedication and teamwork were instrumental in achieving this remarkable feat.

“We wanted to raise money through a joint team effort, so the idea of a HR triathlon was inclusive of all abilities and something which would push us all,” explains Becki Newton-Chesters, HR Manager.

“It allowed everyone to participate at their own pace, while still contributing to a significant overall goal. It’s been a fantastic team effort as we’ve been able to complete some of this together with group walks around campus and as individuals.”

The team set its sights on a distance of 2,400km after discovering that roughly 2,400 people in the Crewe and Nantwich area are living with coronary heart disease, according to local British Heart Foundation statistics.

To put that figure into perspective, it is roughly the distance from Reaseheath College to the Acropolis in Athens, the equivalent of swimming 48,000 laps of an Olympic pool or cycling several stages of the Tour de France.

“We had a mix of abilities within the group,” says Becki, “but we found that the encouragement and camaraderie was invaluable. It was a great way to get us all moving more throughout the day, even incorporating walking meetings into our schedules whenever possible.”

While the occasionally wet and windy weather presented some challenges, the team maintained a positive attitude.

“Overall, it’s been a very rewarding experience, and we’re thrilled to have smashed our distance target,” Becki adds. “Not only have we raised money for an important cause, but the challenge has also had a positive impact on our team’s well-being by encouraging us to prioritise daily exercise.”

Leah Wood, Fundraising Manager for Cheshire and Greater Manchester East at the British Heart Foundation, said: “We are delighted and grateful to be chosen as the charity of the year for Reaseheath College, and we thank them for their generous fundraising efforts in this triathlon.

“We are often in awe of how incredible our supporters can be and it is only with amazing people like this that we can continue to fund lifesaving research that ensures that heart and circulatory diseases can be a worry of the past.”

The Reaseheath College HR team’s fundraising page is still open. To make a donation towards fundraising efforts, visit their Just Giving page.