VETPARTNERS colleagues across Europe have been swimming, walking, running, roller-skating and mountain climbing to boost their wellbeing and raise money for charity.
Team members joined together to take part in Month of Movement throughout May, raising a magnificent total of €59,240.
The annual fundraising event, organised by VetPartners, encourages colleagues working in their veterinary practices and animal healthcare businesses in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Portugal to get active to boost their health and wellbeing, as well as raise money for worthy causes.
Caring colleagues clocked up a combined total of 12,597 hours of activities during Month of Movement, with participation in the annual charity initiative reaching an all-time high since it was launched in 2022.
Colleagues participated in a range of different physical activities and, in return, VetPartners donated €4.70 for every hour of movement completed.
Now, €33, 899 will be donated to World Land Trust, an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most threatened habitats and species. VetPartners has pledged to support the organisation’s Buy an Acre and Plant a Tree programme for at least five years.
The remaining amount raised will be split between several European charities chosen by colleagues.
Money raised by teams in Ireland was donated to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Activities completed by colleagues in the UK included team members from Tower Vets in York, pictured left, walking up Scafell Pike in the Lake District and colleagues from Natterjacks Vets in Bournemouth, pictured above, did their monthly team walk around St Catherines Hill Nature Reserve.
Hannah James, VetPartners Head of ESG, also did some roller-skating during her lunch breaks.
The team from Parklands Vets in Northern Ireland, pictured below, completed the Belfast marathon as a relay team.
Colleagues from the Swissvet Group took part in waterside yoga on paddleboards, and team members in Spain used gym equipment in a local outdoor park, as well as surfing and mountain climbing.
Teams in Portugal got their walking shoes on to complete a 7K trek in the countryside.
VetPartners Head of ESG Hannah James said: “Colleagues across Europe have really embraced the Month of Movement more than ever this year. It’s great that, despite being in different countries, we all come together in a group-wide activity to raise money for charity.
“I think the Month of Movement is an incredible initiative because it’s not only an opportunity to give back to great causes, it also combines the wellbeing benefits of getting active, and the social opportunities for teams to get together for walks, runs, rides, cycles and loads of other activities.”
Rebecca Lawrence, a senior veterinary nurse at Westway Vets in Newcastle, was one of the colleagues who took part in the Month of Movement.
Rebecca said: “Our practice team got together during our lunch breaks for several activities, including a litter pick and a stair-climbing
challenge which involved us counting every 10 flights of stairs as a minute of movement. We love doing our bit to raise money for charity and it was great to get together as a team.”
Article written by Rachel Neill, VetPartners PR & Communications Executive. rachel.neill@vetpartners.co.uk