O’Keefe walk 5,000

---

O’Keefe walks its way to celebrating 50th landmark in very special way

Specialist contracting group O’Keefe has raised over £15,000 in just a month through an alternative way of celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The group was due to mark its 50th birthday in June with a party at its new Kent headquarters for staff, customers and suppliers, but due to the Covid lockdown was forced to think outside the box.

Magnanimously, it decided to ask its 200+ employees to walk a total of 5,000 miles over its anniversary weekend (June 6-7) to raise money for three charities - NHS Charities Together, the Lighthouse Club (the construction industry charity) and 21 Together (O’Keefe’s corporate charity, for Downs Syndrome families).

More than 113 members of team O’Keefe including their families and friends had their individual mileages recorded on the fitness app Strava, totalling 5,461.12 miles, and within just a week over half the £15,000 had been raised.

Group CEO Patrick O’Keefe said: “We are very proud of the way our people embraced this alternative way of celebrating such an important milestone for our Company. We know the past few months have been a tough time for all, especially charities, who need our support now more than ever."

21 Together was set up in 2016 in Kent by four parents who each with a child with Down’s syndrome. It is now a vibrant and thriving community charity with families at the heart of everything it does.

Manager Jo Aiyathurai said: “Covid-19 will have a huge impact on our income, so we are immensely thankful that the O’Keefe Group, who have always been supportive, are stepping up to support us once more. They have been pivotal in enabling us to provide our services and we can’t thank the whole team enough. Thank you to every single person for being part of that fantastic support network.”

The Lighthouse Club is the only charity that provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families who have suffered an injury or long-term illness, or simply need a helping hand.

CEO Bill Hill said:" At a time when our industry needs the most support, it is fantastic to see companies pulling together to help their own. We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone that took part in the O'Keefe 5,000 walk. The money raised will make a real difference to our construction families in crisis."

Formerly the Association of NHS Charities, NHS Charities Together is a federation of over 250 charitable organisations that support the National Health Service, its staff, volunteers and patients, treating Covid-19 patients in the United Kingdom.