Charity challenge edges firm closer to its target

Award-winning Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies is closing in on the target for the Fountaindale SEN School after raising more than £2,500 through the 170-mile, three-day challenge last week.

“It was a very tough event, but we all had a lot of fun and more importantly over £2,500 has been raised so far from this Coast to Coast Challenge and with money still coming in we hope to exceed the £4,000 mark,’’ said Hall-Fast managing director, Malk Hall.

It means the total raised for Fountaindale currently stands at £27,000 and with just days to go until the company’s second charity ball at the John Fretwell Centre, Mr Hall is ‘confident’ the magical milestone will be hit.

He was joined on the energy-sapping ride from Morecambe to Bridlington by a number of other local people, including John Starkie, Katie Atherton, Julie Leonardo, Shaun Taylor, Matthew Back, Simon Beatham, Caroline and Steve Smith, Craig Edwards and Jonathan Crowder.

The ride was the latest in a number of challenges Mr Hall has completed as part of his bid to raise the money for the Nottingham Road school, which  caters for children aged from 3-19 with severe physical and sensory needs.

Other charity events have included a teddy bear toss spearheaded by players and fans of the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey team - of which Hall-Fast is a sponsor - and a curry night at The Mint Indian Restaurant in Mansfield.

Friday’s charity ball could raise as much as £20,000 which would take the total to nearer £50,000.

The event will see a return to the area for former Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest striker Duncan McKenzie as compere.

He said: “It’s a fantastic charity that the money is being raised for.

“The people who work with the children are tremendously patient, do a terrific job and can only be admired.”

For further information about the Hall-Fast Charity Ball, contact [email protected].

Alternatively, to make a donation visit http://www.hall-fast.com/fountaindale-school.