Leicestershire Pub Company Employees Take on 100km Running Challenge for Rainbows Hospice
In a remarkable display of dedication, nine colleagues from the Roseacre Pub Company in Leicestershire are preparing to tackle a gruelling 100km running challenge to raise vital funds for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People. The team will aim to complete the Jurassic Coast Ultra in just one day this May, as part of their ongoing corporate partnership with the hospice.
Sustained Fundraising Efforts Across the Chain
This ultra-marathon is just the latest in a series of fundraising initiatives that have seen all ten restaurants in the Roseacre chain support Rainbows over the past two years. To date, their collective efforts have raised an impressive over £44,000 for the charity, which provides essential palliative and end-of-life care to babies, children, and young people across the East Midlands.
Each Roseacre site features a dedicated Rainbows ambassador, coordinating a wide array of activities including:
- Raffles and bake sales
- Quiz nights and carol concerts
- Fun days and seasonal markets
- Participation in Rainbows' It's a Knockout and Total Wipeout events
Staff have previously undertaken a 24-hour cycle on exercise bikes, demonstrating their commitment to innovative fundraising. Additionally, Roseacre sponsors Rainbows' mascot, Bow Bear, and every menu includes an item that donates £1 directly to the charity with each purchase.
Corporate Partnership Driven by Compassion
Ash Gartshore, owner of Roseacre Pub Company, explained the motivation behind their partnership: "We had been discussing partnering with a local charity to make a genuine difference. When Rainbows reached out, it felt like fate. After visiting the hospice and witnessing their incredible work firsthand, we knew they were the right choice."
Gartshore continued: "Initially, we set modest goals, but our relationship with Rainbows has deepened, and our ambitions have grown. Now, we're determined to raise enough funds to create groundbreaking changes and a lasting impact for the children and families who depend on Rainbows."
Widespread Support Across Multiple Locations
Roseacre Pub Company employs over 300 staff across its restaurants in Narborough, Broughton Astley, Whetstone, Countesthorpe, Peatling Parva, Ashby-De-La-Zouch, Abbots Oak, Mount Sorrell, Binley Woods, and Leamington Spa. This extensive network has enabled widespread community engagement in their fundraising efforts.
Essential Support for Regional Hospice Care
Rebecca Starmer, corporate partnership fundraiser at Rainbows, expressed profound gratitude: "What everyone at Roseacre has achieved is absolutely incredible. They constantly explore new and fun ways to support us, with everyone eager to participate. As the East Midlands' only hospice for babies, children, and young people, we rely on corporate support to raise the £8.5 million needed annually for care at the hospice, at home, and in hospitals."
Starmer added: "We also thank all their customers for joining this fundraising journey and look forward to seeing what Roseacre does next."
The upcoming Jurassic Coast Ultra represents a significant physical challenge for the Roseacre team, but it underscores their unwavering commitment to supporting a charity that provides critical care to some of the region's most vulnerable young people.
