Hunterston B power station raises more than £20k in two years for Marie Curie
Enthusiastic employees at EDF Energy’s Hunterston B nuclear power station have thrown themselves into raising as much money as they can for Marie Curie over the past two years and so far have raised a staggering £20,000.
There have been a number of events including bake sales, tea parties, a station calendar featuring the employees and some more adventurous ways of raising money too. One of these has been the ‘Three peaks challenge’ carried out by two EDF Energy apprentices and one of their friends; 21 year old Fraser Wright from Hunterston B, 23 year old Kieran Bell from Torness and 26 year old Gordon Steele. They were driven between peaks by Fraser’s dad Brian who also works at Hunterston B power station.
The three youngsters climbed the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. The three mountains were Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon. The trio managed to complete the task in 21 hours and 28 minutes while raising more than £500 for Marie Curie.
Fraser said,” We decided to do the three peaks as I wanted to celebrate my 21st birthday by doing something different. We started Ben Nevis at 5pm and completed it in just less than 4 hours. It was challenging as there was a lot of snow, even in May! Scafell Pike was by far the hardest mountain as we started at 3am and the weather conditions were tough with rocky paths to navigate. We finished in just under 4 hours here too.
“The third and final peak was Snowdon and when we reached the top we had a sandwich and a drink but didn’t stay long as we realised we could complete the challenge in fewer than 21 and a half hours! As we made our way down the sun came out and we had a great view of the peak we had just climbed.”
Colin Weir, Station Director at Hunterston B power station said, “What Fraser and his friends have achieved is fantastic and I’m impressed with the stamina they’ve shown and the sheer physical hard work which climbing the three peaks in such a short time must have taken.
“All the employees here at Hunterston B have put their best efforts into raising money for Marie Curie and it’s not over yet. It really is a very worthwhile cause which everyone has been right behind.”
EDF Energy announced a three-year charity partnership with Marie Curie in May 2013. The original aim was to raise £300,000 for the charity with the company matching its employees’ fundraising by up to £100,000 each year.
However, the company has already surpassed their two-year goal, which includes employee fundraising and match-funding from the company, putting it well ahead of schedule to achieving its target.
Over the two years the company has raised £473,335 to aid terminally ill people and to provide support for their families match-funded with an additional £200,000.
For more information contact:
Lindsey IngramMedia Officer - Scotland
01355 846283
07813 230379
Lindsey.Ingram@edf-energy.com
Notes to editors
Pictured L- R are Kieran Bell and Fraser Wright
Marie Curie Cancer Care
Marie Curie is the leading charity providing care to people with any terminal illness in their own homes or in one of its nine hospices. The charity is also a leader in research into the best ways of caring for people with a terminal illness. In addition to this the charity designs and advises on end of life services and works to ensure that the best possible care and patient choice is at the heart of commissioning end of life care across the UK. All Marie Curie services are completely free of charge. Around 70% of the charity’s income comes from donations with the balance of funds coming from the NHS.