A Q&A with Aaron Frogley – organiser of the industry’s iconic Pavestone Rally
News
Apr 2022
CRASH’s BIG March for homelessness charities and hospices
This March, CRASH set you the challenge of walking 10,000 steps each day from 1st-31st March in aid of your industry charity.
Our amazing bunch of dedicated supporters stepped up to the challenge and raised vital donations so that CRASH can continue to construct places that care for people.
From weekend hikes with the family to Marching on the spot while brushing your teeth, there have been so many creative ways to hit the 310,000-step goal!
Thank you to everyone who took part, whether that was taking on the challenge yourself, donating or sponsoring a colleague. Our amazing supporters have raised a total of £5,572 for CRASH, meaning that even more deserving hospices and homelessness charities, like Kairos Community Trust in London can receive our help.
CRASH recently refurbished one of Kairos’ 29 bed move-on accommodations in South London, creating a home for six adults and an extension for their 12 step recovery programme, providing a light-filled, peaceful, and safe space for group therapy sessions.
The clue is in the name…
Fundraising is fun. It has been wonderful to see your snaps and hear your Marching stories, from seal spotting in the Thames to improved health and fitness – thank you for taking the time to share them!
The CRASH team (all 4 of us!) have been with you every step of the way and together, have clocked up a total of 1,265,095 steps!
“CRASH is proud to have such a great team of supporters who have embraced our brand-new campaign, The BIG March. You can all be proud of the community you have built and the donations that you have raised. On behalf of the CRASH team and the homelessness and hospice charities who will continue to receive our help thanks to you, please accept our sincere thanks.”
Chief Executive at CRASH
Here’s what some of our Marchers had to say:
“I have been managing to get a lot of steps done in the morning before work, with the support of my little Dog, Harry. I then step the rest at lunchtime, sometimes accompanied by Kairos Director, Mossie Lyons. I’ve been working at Kairos for almost 14 years and became aware of CRASH when I first started. CRASH have been great supporters of Kairos over the years and it was on speaking with Mossie, that we felt it would be a good idea that Kairos could give something back. I have really enjoyed the walking and we have also raised a bit of cash for CRASH!”
Supported Housing Manager at Kairos Community Trust
“I have really enjoyed taking part in The BIG March for CRASH. I had forgotten just how far 10,000 steps are and how difficult it can be to fit these into a working day. I have done this by getting off the train a station early each way to and from work and going for a walk at lunchtime where I can. In the process, I have managed to walk through the filming of a new Hollywood blockbuster about Napoleon and saw a baby seal in the Thames – both, I would have missed had it not been for The BIG March. It has, of course, been fantastic to raise funds for CRASH too.”
Partner at Beale&Co
“It was great to take part in CRASH’s Big March and help raise money to support the incredible work they do. Getting our steps in, G&T took to the streets for a tour around some of our most notable City projects, encouraging knowledge sharing and networking. We look forward to taking part in the next fundraising initiative!”
Marketing Coordinator at Gardiner & Theobald
“I have been getting in my steps mainly by walking, exploring new routes at home and in and around the office. The challenge was hard to begin with but as it has gone along, it has been much easier to get in my 10k steps daily. I have enjoyed the challenge and aim to keep it up into April and the coming months.”
Marketing and Bid Coordinator at Keegans
“When working from home I run at lunch and then go on a long walk after work around where I live. When in the office my commute makes up a lot of steps and then Lucy and I go for a long lunchtime walk by the river.”
Bid and Marketing Assistant at ECD Architects
“There has been a buzz around the office with everyone checking up on each other’s progress. We have been sharing our pictures of us out on walks and sharing funny ways of getting our step count up such as Marching on the spot whilst brushing your teeth! It’s been great to have a target to work to.”
Social Value Manager at NG Bailey
“I will definitely be keeping up the stepping into April and beyond, the Sunday morning hikes with family are now a regular weekly occurrence. And I’m now training for a few 10k runs this year.”
Planning Manager at NG Bailey
“The BIG March was a great challenge. I aim to keep up the walking going forward as I’ve really noticed a difference to my overall health and wellbeing”.
Operations Director at A J Morrisroe & Sons
“Sharing images and experiences internally on our BIG March email group has been a positive, building team spirit, joining people together from different departments into a walking team, and although many couldn’t keep up with the challenge, they still felt part of something.”
Group Head of Communications and Responsible Business at A J Morrisroe & Sons
“It’s been great to take part in #theBIGmarch to help raise awareness of CRASH charity. The Newforma teams have been pitted against each other to add some healthy competition and it’s been great to see their photos from the walks around their home towns in both UK and Germany. One takeaway, is that it has been really easy to exceed 10k steps if travelling into the office. Whereas it can be harder if working from home when it is easy to become chained to your desk. The BIG March is a great way to encourage you to get some exercise.”
UK Sales and Operations at Newforma
“Taking part in The BIG March has been a lot of fun and it’s been a pleasure to raise funds for CRASH. The most noticeable improvements have been a significant boost to my energy and concentration levels. I’m definitely going to continue to make the effort to walk 10,000 steps a day when the challenge is over.”
Trainee Solicitor at Beale&Co
“To ensure I get my steps in I’ve made some changes to my lifestyle such as making sure I walk to the gym instead of drive. I think this fundraiser supports an amazing cause. In my daily walks, I often come across homeless people and this motivates me to keep pushing on with the fundraiser. I think the whole process has benefitted me mentally and I’m very happy I decided to take part.”
Quantity Surveyor at VolkerFitzpatrick
Has this inspired you? What about starting your own fundraiser ‘Summer step challenge’ or ‘Step up for CRASH’, you can get creative with the name and how you complete your steps…
If you have enjoyed getting active and having a goal to work towards, why not check out the ASICS 10K in aid of CRASH.
