Nothing too tough for fundraisers Jennifer and Kelly
Posted by Alex Rutter on 16/09/2022
TWO fearless members of the Russell Taylor Group team are wearing their bruises with pride after completing the gruelling Tough Mudder charity fundraiser.
Jennifer Scott, the business’ HR, quality and facilities manager, and Kelly Newell, manager of the Manufacturing Division, took on the 15K obstacle course, held in the grounds of Cheshire’s Cholmondeley Castle, to raise money for Russell Taylor Group’s chosen charity of Claire House children’s hospice on Wirral.
The annual Tough Mudder is one of the hardest charity challenges ever devised. With 30 obstacles, the mud-sodden course relies on participants working with their team-mates and total strangers to test themselves to their limits to reach the finishing point.
Afterwards, an exhausted Jennifer described the experience as “exhilarating and emotional” while Kelly says she loved every minute of their adventure – so much so that they have both already signed up for a future Tough Mudder.
For Jennifer, this was her second Tough Mudder and came after surgery on her foot earlier this year. It was the first time in 18 months she had been able to run or exercise properly.
She said: “Completing the course was a fitness goal of mine and it was just amazing to realise that all the hard work I’d put into rehab, physio and then training by doing park runs had really paid off.
“It was certainly tough but Kelly and I are both wearing our bruises with pride.
“The atmosphere on the day was incredible, particularly as my husband and friends were there to cheer us on. It was also extremely satisfying to know that all our efforts were being channelled into raising money for Claire House.”
Jennifer’s next Tough Mudder is only a matter of weeks away, at the Manchester event in Heaton Park at the end of October.
For Kelly, it was her first Tough Mudder and the realisation of her own personal fitness goal.
She said: “I have to admit I was extremely nervous about doing it and genuinely felt a bit sick at the thought. But I loved every minute and managed to conquer the fear I had of being in confined spaces – in the mud - and having to navigate some of the course at great height.
“I also loved the fact that we were pushing ourselves really hard to raise money for Claire House to help seriously and terminally ill children live life to the full.”
Kelly, who took part in the event to also support her personal charity of Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool, has already signed up for another Tough Mudder next year.
Rob Kurton, Russell Taylor Group’s managing director, who has previously been a Tough Mudder himself, added: “I know from experience how genuinely tough this course is and am in awe of the commitment made by Jennifer and Kelly to challenge themselves and come through it all with flying colours.
“Not only is this event about stamina and the sheer will to succeed but also about teamwork and getting the job done - something that everyone here at Russell Taylor buys into every day.”
Supporters of Jennifer and Kelly can still add to their Claire House fundraising efforts by donating here: