Last month a group of Axminster Tools employees, their friends and families made a 10-mile round trip along our beautiful East Devon coastline to raise money for two worthwhile charities.

The team left Seaton at 10am on Saturday 17th July and walked along the coast to Beer, Branscombe and back again.

The day was organised by the Axminster Tools Wellbeing Committee, whose purpose is to help support the physical and mental health, fitness and social wellbeing of staff, in conjunction with the company’s Wellbeing Programme. There are many physical and mental health benefits to walking. The committee proposed the event to encourage staff to enjoy some of those benefits while taking the opportunity to spend time with colleagues outside of work and get to know new people.

When over 20 signed up, the committee saw it as a great chance to raise money for worthwhile causes. Staff voted to support one local and one national charity. Half of the proceeds went to The Flamingo Pool. The community pool is a huge asset to Axminster and those who voted wanted to show their support after the facility spent many months closed during lockdown.

The other half went to a national charity very close to the company’s heart. Axminster Tools have been working with The Furniture Makers’ Company since 2013 as part of their commitment to help build a sustainable future for the woodworking industry. The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers is the British furnishing industry’s charity. They do invaluable work supporting the industry by helping those in need, nurturing skills and expertise and championing excellence.

The team of walkers raised an impressive £775 to be split equally between the two charities.

Max Richardson, Junior Support Analyst at Axminster Tools and member of the Wellbeing Committee helped organise the walk. He said: “It was a great opportunity to chat with colleagues whilst enjoying some amazing scenery along the way. We certainly are very lucky to live in this part of the country.

"There was a brilliant sense of team spirit and cheer which kept everyone going. It was a fantastic feeling when we returned to Seaton knowing each and every one of us had achieved the challenging 10 mile walk for two worthy charities.”