Last week our team delivered a unique event for a Corporate-Charity partnership between Selco Builders Warehouse and Cancer Research UK. Selco were looking to raise money for CRUK by racing from their Northern-most store in York to their Southern-most store in Exeter, across three days.
Starting in York, Selco’s senior leadership teams surrendered their phones and wallets before setting off across the country on one of four routes that they’d chosen depending on how successful they’d been with their fundraising in the lead-up to the day. They were armed with ‘Race’ money of £100, and accompanied by one of GE’s crew who were tasked with ensuring there was no cheating or rule breaking!
Selco were keen to engage with their store network, their ‘community heroes’ (community groups supported by the Company across the country) and with Cancer Research UK, so along the way, teams completed a range of creative and physically demanding challenges sponsored by corporate partners. From carrying 1,000 screws and fragile lightbulbs across the country, to building cribs for charity partner Latch (Leeds Action to Create Homes), every checkpoint tested their skills!
The event delivered plenty of memorable moments — from train ticket mishaps and improvised travel plans to dramatic final sprints (and an impressive entrance on horseback!) and mystery clues leading teams to the “real” finish line. But beyond the competition, the challenge created something even more valuable: genuine camaraderie between participants, crew members, charity partners and sponsors.
Elodie from our team led on the concept, planning and delivery of this, and reflected on the incredible atmosphere at the finish line and the friendships formed. The event certainly wasn’t without its challenges, and the GE team was kept on its toes for the three days, with unknown routes and unexpected timings, but the team’s dedication shone through and the event was a huge success.
David Lennon, Commercial Director of Selco (Team Pink member and winner!), said ‘I think we’ve created something genuinely exciting. Gladiator Events took the initial brief and turned it into something that was second-to-none, brilliant - I can’t thank you enough. ‘
The teams raised in total £80,000 for Cancer Research UK and other Community Heroes, and they hope to reach their target of £100,000 in the next few weeks. If you’d like to donate - please do! Link here.
The event highlighted the power of purpose-driven challenges to strengthen corporate relationships while supporting charitable causes in a meaningful and engaging way.
If you’d like to find out more about creating something like this for your Corporate Partner, get in touch!