Whittam Cox Architects hit the ground running for local charities

Staff from North Derbyshire-based Whittam Cox Architects will be putting their best foot forward this weekend when they take part in the Dronfield 10k to raise money for two local charities.

Twenty-one  employees and a further 19 family and friends, will be dusting off their running shoes on Sunday (19 March) for the two-lap road race set in Dronfield Woodhouse, near Sheffield.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice North Anston, near Rotherham, and Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield will benefit from the money raised by the participants.

Throughout 2016, Whittam Cox Architects, formerly WCEC, also raised £5,000 for the charities through various fundraising events including raffles, a coffee morning, a Bake Off inspired baking challenge, and dress-down days every Friday at their office in Chesterfield.

Bluebell Wood offers care and support to children with a shortened life expectancy, both in their own homes and in the hospice in North Anston. Every year, they aim to raise £4 million to keep the hospice running.

Ashgate Hospice provides care to patients across North Derbyshire at the hospice, in the community and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. The hospice also provides a wide range of community-based care and support services to enable people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

Julie Hampson, corporate fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said:-

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Whittam Cox Architects for their fantastic fundraising over the past year. From taking part in the Dronfield 10k to holding ‘Bag it Up’ days at the office; their £2,500 would pay for 120 hours of specialised nursing care for a Bluebell Wood child.

“Of the £4 million we need to keep our doors open, we need to raise 90% from our community and corporate supporters, so every penny raised does make all the difference to our children and families.”

Jon Godwin, Technical Director and Head of Charity at Whittam Cox Architects, will be running the race dressed as an Angry Bird.  He said:-

“We’re always thinking of new ways to raise money for our chosen charities and the Dronfield 10K is a great, physical challenge for our team to get involved with.

“We are delighted to be able to help Bluebell Wood and Ashgate Hospice with our donation. The work they do for people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, during what can be a very difficult time is absolutely invaluable.

“Both charities rely on donations to maintain the level of service they provide and we are happy to offer our continued support to these fantastic services.”