Xaar stepping up for challenge in seven million step charity fundraiser

Employees at inkjet technology specialist Xaar have completed a remarkable achievement, clocking up over seven million steps to raise money for its charity partner, Break.

Counting all steps from 1^st July, the team of seven – Andy Smith, Anna Pickard, Charlotte Baile, Hanka Hammerton, Harriet Holden, Jenny Dean and Paul Mannion – committed to marching their way to one million steps each by 30^th September’s deadline.

The team smashed their target, accumulating 7,638,660 steps in total and raising an outstanding £1,318 for the charity, which Xaar will match to bring the grand total to £2,636. Challenges such as this are all part of Xaar’s support for Break, following its three-year commitment to the charity as part of its focus on Local Community and People within the Group’s Sustainability Roadmap.

Break works across the East of England making life better for children and young people on the edge of care, in care and leaving care. Whether that’s through therapeutic services, respite breaks, providing a resilient home or support with parenting, they are committed to supporting them through whatever life has in store.

Needing to average just under 11,000 steps a day, the team undertook a wide variety of walks and runs right across the UK, benefitting their physical health and own wellbeing, as well as ensuring they hit their step target. Indeed, if illness or bad weather struck, or if a heavy workload limited time away from the desk to get some steps in, members of the team adapted to maintain their daily average – even including running around their own kitchen.

Rachel Cowdry, CEO at Break said: “We'd like to say a huge thank you to the team at Xaar for taking part in this latest fundraising activity. We’ve been blown away by their dedication to achieve the million steps. The money raised will enable us to continue supporting young individuals across the region who have faced difficult life challenges, and enable us to work with them so they have the tools they need to build a brighter future.”

Some used the target as a key metric in training for further activities for Break. Andy Smith, for example, included the million-step milestone as part of his training to run the London Marathon in 2024.

“Being a Charity Champion for Xaar, key events such as the London Marathon provide a real focus for fundraising. Hitting my million steps has been an extra incentive while training and raising over £1,300 is also fantastic,” he said.  

“Having had the pleasure of meeting some of the people supported by Break, I know what a difference they make and am delighted that we are helping via our partnership.”

Xaar celebrated the first year of its charity partnership with Break back in May, with employees raising an amazing £18,610, which, alongside the matched donation from the company, brought the total donation to over £37k. Those wishing to donate can still do so online at the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/millionsteps