Big-hearted Sky employees from the Livingston contact centre became intrepid explorers on the streets of Scotland – all in aid of youngsters living with life-threatening conditions.
Four members of staff from the Livingston base – Jim Smith, Paula Frame, Lee McIlduff and Gillian McEwan – joined another six staff members from contact centres across the country on the Big Treasure Hunt Charity Challenge to raise money for Make A Wish Foundation UK.
In pairs, the adventurers were tasked with travelling to seven Sky contact centres across the country with a budget of just £20 to get from site to site. Team members were not allowed to use their cars, or to ask for lifts from family members, instead relying on public generosity and the kindness of local businesses.
With help from staff the seven contact centres, and from local businesses en route to each stop, the team raised £2,139.50 which has been matched by Sky, taking the total to an incredible £4,839.50.
Setting off from the contact centre in Livingston, each pair of adventurers made their own way to the centres in Greenock, Larbert, Dunfermline, Uddingston and to the two centres in Glasgow, and back to Livingston.
At each site, they were asked to complete three challenges to raise awareness of the cause. Challenges included getting someone from the Honda garage in Glasgow to take them for a Happy Meal at McDonald’s, performing “I’m a Little Teapot” in the canteen of the Uddingston contact centre, making a human sign of the word “Livingston” at the Livingston contact centre, and having pictures taken at the Falkirk Wheel.
Teams were awarded points and prizes for each successfully completed task, best selfie, and the first group arriving at each centre – and points were deducted if groups arrived back at Livingston after 8pm.
Make A Wish Foundation UK grants wishes to youngsters aged between three and 17, who are battling life-threatening conditions.
Sky people plan lead Rachel Houston said: “It was a really rewarding and uplifting experience.
“As we were running about with Make A Wish t-shirts on, the treasure hunt really helped to raise awareness of the cause and got people interested.
“Staff at the contact centres were fantastic, as were local businesses. Network Rail even donated tickets for some of the journeys, and people offered us lift from centre to centre.
“I’m so proud of everyone who took part, and would like to thank everyone who got involved and helped us raise such a fantastic amount for a great cause.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
