Each week, colleagues across the UM Group are clocking up more miles, playing their part in the Great Molasses Challenge.

This week it was the turn of the Premier Molasses team in County Limerick who took part in the Great Limerick Run.

A massive thank you to Brian Campion, MD of Premier Molasses, Robbie Flynn, Product and Quality Manager, Michael Butler, Operations Manager (Foynes) and Donal Hartney, Accounts and Systems Administrator, who all ran the 6-mile category. They were joined by colleague Anne Fitzsimons, Accounts Administrator (Foynes), who walked the course.

The Great Limerick Run is a hugely popular annual event, including a full marathon, half marathon, six-miler and children’s fun run. Now in its 15^th year, the event attracts over 14,000 entrants, making it the biggest mass participation sporting event outside of Dublin.

The Great Molasses Challenge involves colleagues from across the UM Group coming together to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the charity Farm Africa.

The unique challenge aims to cover the distance of the first ever UM molasses shipment in 1912 – a total of 4820 miles (7712km) from the Dominican Republic to Hull. The Challenge will finish in Hull on June 9^th when a number of colleagues will be taking part in the Hull 10K.

Robbie said: “As soon as we heard about the Challenge, we knew we wanted to do something and the Great Limerick Run was the obvious choice as it fell within the timescale and is also a great thing to be a part of.

“We all had a good time and we got lucky with some lovely sunny weather.”

Donal commented: “I was quite nervous because it was a decent distance, but there was a great buzz along the route, particularly at the finish in O’Connell Street.”

Michael added: “I’ve run the event before, but was a bit slower this year! It was a really enjoyable day and great to have lots of support along the way.

“Although this year was about raising funds towards the Great Molasses Challenge, we are already talking about making the event a bit of an annual tradition.”

Meanwhile, colleagues at UM Group’s office in London have also been busy clocking up the miles. Nine colleagues went for a 3.2km (2 mile) lunchtime walk in the city, taking in landmarks including Tower Bridge and London Bridge, adding a further 28.8km (18 miles) to the overall tally.

Those who took part in the first of two planned lunchtime walks were Sam Dangerfield, Andrew Creasey, Mark Few, Nigel Jones, Sean Cassia, Marcela Lopez, Shaun Smith, Seb Vella and Louisa Brown.

Louisa said: “It was great to get so many colleagues out for the walk including a couple who travelled in especially to take part.

“Everyone wore their T-shirts and were keen to do their bit to raise funds to support the great work of Farm Africa.

“It also provided an opportunity to walk and talk with colleagues while getting a breath of fresh air away from the office. You get to hear about people’s families and some of the things they do out of work. It also fosters a stronger team spirit.

“We’re already looking forward to the second lunchtime walk and, hopefully, getting even more people out!”

You can donate to the Great Molasses Challenge via this link:

UM Group - The Great Molasses Challenge - JustGiving