Chance to show competitive edge in a good cause

HML, a specialist in financial outsourcing, as well as BT, law firm Flint Bishop and professional services company Watson Wyatt were among 166 teams taking part in the non-stop 100km hike last year, which raised nearly 400,000.

This summer's event, which is supported by the Yorkshire Post, takes place in June, and organisers Oxfam want 450 teams to take part. The charity hopes to raise 600,000.

Rick Lay, Oxfam's fundraising manger, said: "For a corporate employer looking to do a team-building activity this is a cut above a bouncy castle.

"It is an opportunity for some rivalry between departments and companies both physically and in fundraising. There is very little for an employer to do other than motivate staff."

Oxfam can help firms to make preparations, provide training plans and even visit them to give a presentation about what Trailtrekker involves.

Training for the event, fundraising and taking part can all boost teambuilding. Trailtrekker also promotes friendly competition between different parts of a business, encourages active citizenship, which

raises the profile of a company for positive reasons, and produces a fitter and healthier workforce, with benefits such as a better outlook and reduced rates of sickness, Oxfam said.

Rachel Fawcett, head of HR at HML, a subsidiary of Skipton Building Society, said staff were interested because it was close to the business.

"They benefitted because they got to co-operate to make a difference. It was a significant challenge and they got a high sense of achievement from having done it."

HML is based at Skipton, Padiham in Lancashire, Glasgow, Scarborough and Derry. Staff were so motivated to complete the demanding challenge

that they set up a Sunday walking group to help them get in shape.

Now the staff, including Ms Fawcett, are taking part in a three peaks challenge on June 26 in aid of Yorkshire Cancer Centre. Oxfam's corporate partners have included Marks & Spencer, Aviva and Accenture, and firms taking part in Trailtrekker will benefit from hooking up with a long-established organisation that works in 70 countries, according to Chris Ashworth, from Oxfam.

"With one million supporters, we are a great brand to be associated with. (When shopping], the public prefers to choose a brand which is associated with a good cause."

The M&S and Oxfam Clothes Exchange, which was launched two years ago, has already raised 2.5m for the charity.

Anyone donating an item of M&S clothing to Oxfam receives a 5 store voucher to use on their next purchase of 35 or more on certain products.

Teams have until the end of March to sign up for Trailtrekker.

HOW TO TAKE PART IN tRAILTREKKER

Trailtrekker takes place on Sunday, June 6. The event, which starts and finishes at Aireville Achool, Skipton, is one of 12 long-distance sponsored walks organised by Oxfam around the world each year.

Oxfam's target of 600,000 would build more than 850 libraries, or more than 200 classrooms, in developing countries.

A special section has been set up on the Yorkshire Post website at yorkshirepost. co.uk/trail trekker2010 with more details.

To sign up to Trailtrekker you need: a team of four walkers and a few friends or colleagues who are willing to act as your support crew at walk checkpoints, providing food, water, fresh socks etc.

You must agree to raise a total of 2,000 in sponsorship as a team (500 per walker).

The normal entrance fee is 150 per team if you enter before Sunday, January 31 (or 200 up to March 31). Oxfam is running an employer incentive scheme, in which companies that enter three or more teams the entry fee is reduced by 50 per cent, making it 75 for teams

signed up before January 31 and then 100 before the end of March.

Firms wanting to find out more should call Rick Lay, Oxfam fundraising manager, on 01865 472077.

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