Two members of the Huddersfield-based SalesStar UK team have returned from London with a personal best having run five miles beyond their target distance in a charity ultra-marathon headed up by rugby league legend Jamie Peacock MBE.
Gemma Betts and Pete Evans of the sales transformation firm both completed 15 miles of the ‘Run for the Roof Challenge’ – a 100-mile challenge comprising a double loop round London in aid of sports and mentoring charity, Greenhouse Sports.
Funds raised will support the vital repair of the roof of Greenhouse’s community sports centre in Westminster.
Both Gemma and Pete had committed to run only the first 10 miles of the challenge but were able to go beyond that thanks to prior training and motivation from fellow runners.
These included well-known sports figures such as former pro-footballer Sam Rents, head of partnerships at British Cycling Chris Williams, sports agency founder Simon Dent, and Jamie Peacock MBE.
Managing partner of SalesStar UK, Pete, also joined the team for the last leg of the challenge, completing the final 3K alongside Simon and Jamie.
Pete said: “To have the opportunity to run alongside some very inspirational people was motivating. Not only because of their past sporting achievements, but also because they were using their experience in the sporting world to make an impact and support a worthy cause.
“I know having spent the last three miles with the runners that they were absolutely committed to completing the challenge, no matter how exhausted and mentally drained they were and that is just admirable.
“We chose to make Greenhouse Sports as our charity of choice having had personal experiences in which sport helped us. The work they are doing with schools and the local community is fantastic. Myself and the team are looking forward to our next fundraising efforts, starting with the Manchester half-marathon in May.”
‘Run For the Roof’ was organised by Jamie Peacock MBE to raise funds for London-based charity Greenhouse Sports which works in partnership with schools by providing sports coaches to deliver extra-curricular, inspirational coaching and mentoring programmes.
Its community sports hub in Marylebone – a central hub for young children in London – was forced to temporarily close in December 2021 due to safety concerns in the roof, meaning community events were brought to a halt.
Having heard about Jamie’s mission to run 104 miles in 24 hours to raise funds for the roof repairs, Pete of SalesStar UK signed as the lead sponsor of the Run for the Roof Challenge, pledging to raise a minimum of £10,000 across 2022.
SalesStar UK also made Greenhouse Sports its partner charity for 2022, planning a series of events across the year to reach its £10K target.
Beatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of Greenhouse Sports, said: “We can’t thank Pete and Gemma and the team at Sales Star enough – what a great effort! Not Only did they smash their personal target on the run, they were invaluable support to Jamie, Simon and the crew. A true part of the Greenhouse team.
“The fundraising that SalesStar has pledged is vital for us. The Greenhouse Centre is where our coaches deliver high-quality sports programmes and is the home for our table tennis club, as well as other sports programmes for young people and their families from the local community and beyond.
“In supporting Jamie and Simon, SalesStar will help us reopen our doors and make a difference to more kids’ lives, and for that we are truly grateful.”
Greenhouse Sports has worked with more than 50,000 young people since 2002 with the goal of using sport to engage young people and help them develop skills that will help them succeed in later life.
When the centre re-opens, it will again be the base host the thriving Greenhouse Sports Junior Table Tennis squad, which has a number of national champions and national team players across its age-groups.
It will also resume its role as a sports community centre providing free facilities and sports sessions for more than 2,000 members of the local community of the Church Street Ward in Westminster, one of the most deprived wards across the entire UK. To make a donation to the cause, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/SalesStar-Run-for-the-roof
