In it for the long run – over 100 staff cover 700km for firm’s centenary

More than 100 team members at regional chartered accountancy and business advisers, PKF Francis Clark have run 5K this year, as part of their centenary celebrations. In doing so, they have also raised money for a number of local charities across the South West.

During the summer months, over 100 energetic team members from the firm ‘took to the tracks’ in a joint effort that totalled a combined distance of over 700 kilometres, equivalent to over 430 miles.

The firm that promote a ‘healthy workplace’ and have a ‘health & well-being programme’ rolled out across all of their offices set the challenge of finding 100 willing runners to participate in a 5K, as part of the firm’s 100 years’ commemorations. Some offices added their runs to other fundraising initiatives taking place across the region.

The Poole office kicked started the challenge in June, when a team of 12 crossed the finishing line of the Poole Hospital 5K, a scenic but flat and fast course that started and finished at Poole Park.

100 miles west, the Torquay office organised their own run, dubbed the ‘Edginswell loop’. From the super speedy runners to those gentle joggers, the group of 31 tackled the circuit that both started and finished at the office, Sigma House, and comes in at just over 5K.

The Torquay office were followed by team Taunton, a group of four who participated in the most vivid 5K around, the ‘Rainbow Run’. Donning multi-coloured leggings, the group walked, jogged and ran through the colour explosion at Westpoint Arena & Showground.

Next up was the Truro office, who following tradition were yet again proud sponsors of, and well represented in, the annual ROC 5K charity fun run. The team of 21 began and completed the route at Lemon Quay.

As the summer progressed into July, members of the Plymouth office partook in the Saltram 5K in the gardens of Saltram House, successfully completing the route which included defeating the steep hill that they were faced with during the second half of the run.

Drawing the summer, and also the challenge to a close was the firm’s Exeter office, with their largest team. Alongside 1000 other runners from the community, the group of 61 gathered at the cathedral to run the 20th Michelmores charity 5K.

Andrew Richards, Managing Partner at PKF Francis Clark said “2019 is a special year for the firm and this was an idea that the team themselves initiated and undertook as part of our centenary celebrations. I am proud of everyone across the offices who took part in the challenge, it’s a fantastic achievement. It really shows the dedication and ambition of the PKF Francis Clark team and demonstrates how significant health, well-being and sense of community is to our culture.”

2019 is a milestone year for PKF Francis Clark, being 100 years since the opening of their first office in Newton Abbot. In addition to the firm’s celebrations and charity efforts, PKF Francis Clark has marked their centenary year by expanding their commitment to the South West, opening their eighth office in Bristol. The office is supporting regional businesses and providing job opportunities to local talented people.