Two staff members from leading builders’ merchant Travis Perkins in North Wales are taking part in the Olympic torch relay as a reward for their charity work.
Staff member of Travis Perkins, Holywell, Brian Peers and Manager of Travis Perkins in Caernarfon Peblig Andrew Craig, both received public nominations and were selected by the London Organising Committee after their extraordinary fundraising achievements.
Brian was nominated by his wife Jayne and has worked as a volunteer for his local charity ‘Miles of Smiles’ for over 20 years. He has worked as secretary and trip co-ordinator and regularly dedicated evenings and weekends to the cause. The charity sends sick, disabled and under-privileged children on the holiday of a lifetime.
Andrew was nominated by his Regional Director for the lengths he has gone to in raising money for Travis Perkins’ two partner charities Breast Cancer Campaign and Together for Short Lives. The events include a triathlon, for which Andrew had to learn to swim, The London Marathon and climbing Mount Snowdon once a week, every week for one year. Andrew was also highly commended in the ‘outstanding employee’ category at the 2012 Charity Business Awards for his staggering achievements.
Brian said: “I never expected to receive a nomination and had no idea my wife had nominated me but I was thrilled when I found out I had been selected. It was a huge honour to be part of this once in a lifetime experience and the children from Miles of Smiles came out to support me which made the day even more special.
“To add to the occasion my wife and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary as well as Miles of Smiles 20th anniversary. It is great that I got to mark these milestones by taking part in the Olympic torch relay.”
Each participant carries the torch 300 metres along the Olympic Torch route towards the Olympic Stadium. Thousands of people took to the streets to watch Brain carry the torch through his local county of Flintshire and Andrew through Porthmadog High Street.
Andrew said: “When the letter came through the post I couldn’t quite believe it. It is a great privilege to part of this momentous occasion and one I will never forget. I never expected to be rewarded for the charity work I have done but I am very grateful for being selected. I also got to keep the torch I carried which made the whole day unforgettable.”
Travis Perkins was recently awarded the Business of the Year at the 2012 Charity Business Awards due to its support of Breast Cancer Campaign and Together for Short Lives over the past three years.
The leading builders’ merchant has raised more than £820,000 since appointing Breast Cancer Campaign and Together for Short Lives as its sponsored charities in 2009, a four-fold increase on the original target.
For further information on Travis Perkins or to locate your nearest branch visit www.travisperkins.co.uk.
