Over 190 team challenges have been taken up to date as part of the annual Challenge programme run by the Zurich Community Trust.
Challenge is Zurich’s biggest annual volunteer event. Employee teams get together to complete a one off project which benefits a local voluntary organisation. It’s fun to do and offers managers and staff a great teambuilding opportunity. 2010 also marks the 21st year of the Challenge programme. The programme started in Swindon in 1990 and since then a total of 2,186 team challenges have been completed.
Click here to view our photo gallery of just some of the Zurich Challenge teams in action this year. Below are two examples of projects undertaken this summer in Cheltenham and Leeds.
|
Challenge 12, Bark in the Park for Gloucestershire County Association for the Blind (GCAB) led by Stephanie Parr, Governance - Zurich Corporate Pensions |
'Although Pitville Park was fairly quiet at ten in the morning, it was soon inundated with dogs of every breed imaginable! It was our job to register the dogs and judge them for the various competitions including: Handsomest Dog, Prettiest Bitch, Waggiest Tail, Over 7's and 'Dog You Would Most Like To Take Home With You'.We helped entrants register for the dog show helping with the prizes and judging. It was a very tough job to judge them all as they were all lovely!
It was great to take part in 'Bark In The Park' as there was a real community spirit, made even better by being in aid of a very worthwhile cause.' Stephanie Parr.
"The charity itself really benefited from the challenge as it was part of a big event for GCAB. By letting Zurich volunteers run the dog show for the morning, it allowed me to use our own volunteers for other areas" Lucy Gooding, GCAB
Lineham Farm in Eccup introduces young people, aged 8-12, to a host of different activities and the wonders of the natural environment. A week at the farm is designed to boost the children's confidence, self-worth and teach them new skills.
"The efforts of the whole team were amazing and the completed project has enriched the centre. It's also created a wonderful area for young people to admire and sit while thinking about life in a relaxed setting. A massive Thank You to Zurich and the Landscape Gardeners who helped make the project look so professional." Stephen Hannaby, Lineham Farm.
