Charity

Help for Heroes fundraising event in the Malvern Hills receives support from national housebuilder

- 11 Sep 19

Six colleagues from a national housebuilder will take part in the Malvern Hills Challenge on Saturday, 14th September, raising money for Help for Heroes.

View of the Malvern Hills from Bovis Homes' St James development

The Challenge is a charity walk along the stunning Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, which Bovis Homes is sponsoring and entering. Participants can choose from a short route (9km) or a long route (18km), with both concluding in Priory Park, Great Malvern.

Bovis Homes employees entering the event include Lois Davies, Jamie Abbott, Sam Martin, Steve Andrews and Joy Young from the Western region alongside Ghulam Hussain from the housebuilder’s West Midlands region.

Lois Davies, event participant and sales advisor at Bovis Homes, said: “Working in Bovis Homes’ St James development in Welland, I’ve been able to admire the most amazing views of the Malverns. Out of 100 new homes here, we’re down to our last two plots. Before the St James’ team move on to new developments, we thought the Challenge would be a great thing to do together for a worthy cause.”

Sharon Nash, marketing manager in Bovis Homes’ Western region, added: “We wish all of the Malvern Hills Challenge entrants the best of luck for this event, including our own colleagues who are participating. It is a beautiful part of the country and a wonderful place to explore on foot, while fundraising for an important cause.”

One of the event organisers, Tony Potter, said: “Over the last decade the Challenge has raised a staggering £77,000 for Help for Heroes, and we hope to be pushing closer to £100,000 by the end of this years’ event. By supporting the charity, we would like to show veterans within our area that the community cares about them. For those who need support and have not yet sought it, this is often the trigger that encourages them to come forward.

“This year we are extremely pleased to have a team of Help for Heroes beneficiaries, known as the ‘Band of Brothers’, taking part and fundraising alongside our other walkers. We are also delighted that the charity’s chief executive Melanie Waters OBE is coming along to support us all.

“On average, seven service personnel are medically discharged from our Armed Forces every day, so there is clearly an ongoing need for support. Taking part in the Malvern Hills Challenge is an excellent way of promoting the charity, raising funds and exploring the breathtaking countryside along the Malvern Hills.

“With the weather conditions looking good, and 300 people already registered to walk, we are excited for a fantastic day on Saturday. Everyone should keep a look out for the Dakota from the Battle of Britain flight which will fly the length of the Malverns at about 1.30pm on the day too – it’s sure to impress!”

Bovis Homes has just become the first housebuilder to be awarded with the Government’s Defence Employee Recognition Scheme Gold Award - the highest award from the Ministry of Defence for supporting armed forces personnel. So, it is especially fitting that the housebuilder supports this event that is fundraising for Help for Heroes.

Help for Heroes provides lifelong support to Service Personnel and Military Veterans with injuries, illnesses and wounds sustained while serving in the British Armed Forces.

Find out more about Bovis Homes' St James development.