Published: October 30, 2022 | Updated: 27th October 2023
A residential development group has smashed its multi-event fitness challenge target to raise £10,000 for homelessness charity Routes to Roots (R2R).
The challenge saw 30 property professionals at AJC Group swap their typical working week to:
More than 100 companies and individuals sponsored the ‘AJC All Routes Lead to Home Challenge’ to achieve the £10,000 fundraising target.
The money will pay for much-needed shelter and provisions to help with the rising number of people R2R supports on a daily and weekly basis.
The charity provides basic life necessities such as food, shelter, facilities, clothes and support to an increasing number of people in most need.
Seb Janes, pictured left, Director of Poole-based AJC Group, said: “Back in the summer, we set ourselves a very high target over four fitness disciplines as we are so passionate about raising enough funds for Routes to Roots to make a real difference to the vital work they carry out.
“While the cost of living crisis is affecting us all, we are very grateful to have our jobs, our houses, and a happy homelife.
“The men and women that R2R helps are facing complex challenges that have only been heightened in recent times.
“None of us had ever tackled these sorts of swimming, paddleboarding, cycling or hiking distances before.
“The timing of the week-long fitness challenge coincided with the South Coast Property Awards gala dinner – where we were thrilled to win in two categories – so it really was a week none of us will ever forget.
“While everyone at AJC Group pushed themselves well out of their comfort zone, we have been incredibly grateful for the generosity of our family, friends and those we work with who have collectively donated £10,000.
“Having only established AJC Group four years ago, this is an achievement we can all be immensely proud of.”
The AJC team elected to take on the fitness challenge locally in either Poole Harbour, or on a treadmill, or static bike, in the company’s office in order to keep the carbon footprint for the challenge to a minimum.
Kate Mellor, pictured right, Chair of the Routes to Roots Trustees, said: “We are hugely grateful to AJC Group for supporting us and raising an incredible £10,000.
“We were astounded by how they worked as a team to smash the goals they had set for the challenge.
“With Covid-19 still very present, and the cost of living crisis escalating, it is an incredibly tough time for all charities.
“The work we do with local people across Poole and the wider Dorset area to enable them to find and keep a home, develop their skills, increase opportunities – and ultimately prevent homelessness – is essential.
“We work with people in need, and with our operating costs rising significantly, we need to work harder than ever to be able to provide vital support day after day.”
AJC Group operates across the Wessex region.
