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More than 100 Credit Suisse employees and friends of the company have committed to taking part in a triathlon inspired challenge to raise money for Frossard Ward’s new outdoor play area.
Last month, the Friends of Frossard Children’s Ward charity announced that its next project would be to transform the neglected garden into a usable outdoor space for patients and their families. The plans include play equipment for younger children and a seating area for teenagers and parents and will cost around £35,000.
Credit Suisse has chosen Friends of Frossard Children’s Ward as its charity of the year and has created an all day fundraising challenge on 30th June which it hopes will raise £10,000 for the project. The Hel(l)vetia Challenge, named after Credit Suisse’s headquarters on South Esplanade will see two teams complete a triathlon-inspired route 25 times.
‘When the team at Credit Suisse approached us and told us how much effort they were prepared to go to, we were completely overwhelmed. They have made an enormous commitment and we hope that it will inspire each and every one of them to push themselves knowing that young islanders and their families will benefit enormously from this new outdoor area,’ said founder of Friends of Frossard Ward Cathy Gallienne, who will be taking part along with charity co-founder and Cooper Brouard colleague Matt Brouard.
Team Awesome will be made up of 100 Credit Suisse employees and representatives of the event sponsors and businesses who work closely with the company. Starting at 5am, members will individually take on 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 have been completed. Senior managers from Credit Suisse in London and Switzerland and former managing director of Credit Suisse Bank Roy McGregor will also be flying in to take part.
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, who both work for Credit Suisse’s neighbours The International Stock Exchange, will do the same route in rotation with one person doing the swim and then the bike and then the run. The swim leg will start every 30 minutes with the last rotation setting off at 5pm.
‘Having moved back to the island, I felt incredibly fortunate to be living in a place where you can get out and be active as soon as you leave the office and so suggested a challenge that would make the most of the environment around Helvetia Court. It quickly picked up momentum and my hope is that this year we can raise the money needed for Friends of Frossard Ward and then we can establish this as an annual event where other companies can join Credit Suisse and raise money for a charity of their choice,’ he said.
‘The enthusiasm from the Credit Suisse teams in Guernsey, London and Switzerland and from our sponsors, Babbe, Recarta, C5 Alliance, Offshore, Cooper Brouard, The International Stock Exchange and The Ivy Trust, has been incredible and I am hoping we can raise £10,000 as well as have a lot of fun.’
Mr Annegarn also expressed thanks to Guernsey Police, the Harbour Office and the Yacht Club for their support.
‘We’re hoping for good weather so that lots of people can come down and support every one taking part as it will be a real hive of activity in and around Havelet. I’m sure the support will be invaluable as the challenge progresses,’ said Mrs Gallienne.
