Select a region
Work on Frossard Ward’s new outdoor play area will begin later this year after Credit Suisse’s triathlon challenge raised more than £15,000.
The play area, which will transform the neglected garden into a usable outdoor space for patients and their families, will cost around £35,000 and is the latest project for the Friends of Frossard Children’s Ward charity. Credit Suisse has chosen Friends of Frossard Children’s Ward as its charity of the year and organised an all day fundraising challenge last month with the aim of raising £10,000. The Hel(l)vetia Challenge, named after Credit Suisse’s headquarters on South Esplanade, saw two teams complete a triathlon-inspired route 25 times.
‘We can’t quite believe how much Credit Suisse raised from this incredible challenge,’ said Cathy Gallienne, founder of Friends of Frossard Ward, who took part along with charity co-founder and Cooper Brouard colleague Matt Brouard.
‘They exceeded their ambitious target of raising £10,000 before the challenge had even begun, which is just brilliant. It was really fantastic to see how enthusiastic everyone was and how committed the participants were in helping us make our plan a reality. We can’t thank them enough,’
Team Awesome saw 100 Credit Suisse employees, including senior managers from London and Zurich as well as former managing director Roy McGregor, join with representatives from the event sponsors and businesses who work closely with Credit Suisse. Starting at 5am, members individually completed either a 500m sea swim in Havelet Bay, a 1.5km cycle up and down the Val des Terres or a 2.25km run from Havelet to the Aquarium and then back along to the slip below Castle Cornet until 25 full laps of the route had been completed.
Team B, made up of just five people including Credit Suisse Channel Islands CEO Paul Annegarn and Guernsey Rugby stars Cameron Craine and Dan Hill, completed the same route in rotation.
‘I am extremely proud of every single person who took part,’ said Mr Annegarn.
‘Everyone took on a personal challenge and gave 100% and the camaraderie and team spirit was more than I expected. To raise so much money shows how passionate everyone at Credit Suisse, and the sponsors and companies who joined in, is about Frossard Ward and the incredible care it gives young islanders.’
Mr Annegarn also expressed his thanks to Babbe, Recarta, C5 Alliance, Offshore, Cooper Brouard and The International Stock Exchange who all sponsored the event and to Guernsey Police, the Harbour Office and the Yacht Club for their support.
‘Their support helped make the event the success it was. We’re now planning to turn this into an annual event in order to encourage more people to participate,’ he said.
