STAFF at technology services company TSG are preparing to “do battle” to raise money for a right royal cause.
Four of the IT company’s Scottish workers have signed up to take part in the BlueSky Challenge – an action-packed adventure race aimed at raising cash for the Prince’s Trust.
The event – which will include mountain biking, kayaking, orienteering, wading across a river and secret tasks – will take place around historic Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire this September.
The TSG team – Neil Harding, Gillian Booth, Steven Osprey and Ian Davis – have given themselves individual Gladiator-style names for the challenge, and have been busy working a sweat in a tough training regime. The four will compete collectively as the TSG Thundercats.
Team leader Neil Harding – otherwise known as “Lion-O” – said: “The Princes Trust gives practical and financial support to young people who need it most. We hope our families and clients will dig deep and help us raise lots of money for this excellent cause.”
Neil, an account manager who’s based at TSG’s Edinburgh office, added: “We became aware of the Challenge through BlueSky Experiences, which organises the event, as they’re one of our clients. We’re more than happy to take part and hope others will rise to the challenge too.
“It should be great fun. If nothing else, we should all be much fitter after all the training and taking part!”
Edinburgh colleague Gillian Booth, a part-time marketing co-ordinator, is competing as “Cheetara”. She said: “I also have a bit of experience in mountain biking and kayaking and this event will give me the opportunity to get better at these.”
Two workers from TSG’s Glasgow Office make up the team. Account manager Steven Osprey, competiting as “Tygra”, said: “I’m not a big fan of losing, so I’m aiming to be competitive and go for a good time.”
Ian Davis, a keen footballer, is the fourth member of the team. He’ll compete in the Challenge as “Panthro”. He said: “It will give me a focus for getting fit and active again – and allows for no excuses for not spending time at the gym.”
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “This bunch are certainly no ‘computer geeks’ and may even turn out to be potential gladiators! They’re really getting into the spirit of the Challenge – and we hope they will encourage other sporty people in business to take part.”
The event hopes to raise more than £30,000 for the Prince’s Trust Scotland.
Geraldine Gammel, the Prince’s Trust Scotland director, said: “The Prince’s Trust is delighted to be benefiting from this dynamic and challenging event. The training and sheer physical effort needed shows how much people care about ensuring there are more choices and more chances for disadvantaged young people across Scotland. I wish each team the best of luck.”
For more information about The BlueSky Challenge please visit http://www.blueskychallenge.co.uk or contact James England on 07980 212355.
You can pledge support to the TSG team online via http://www.justgiving.com/tsgthundercats
To find out more about TSG, please visit http://www.tsg.com
ENDS
About The BlueSky Challenge
The BlueSky Challenge, an all day event, will take place at Drumlanrig Castle on the stunning 120,000-acre Queensberry Estate on 12 September 2008.
The BlueSky Challenge will involve teams of four taking on the unique, exhilarating and fun challenge of:
• Mountain Biking – the main mode of transport throughout the race;
• Kayaking – on a mountain loch;
• Orienteering – finding their way through a challenging course in diverse countryside;
• Aerial Runways – crossing the river Nith whilst suspended on a Tyrolean bridge;
• River Crossing – wading across the river with your shoes on or shoes off; and
• Secret Disciplines – a series of tasks designed to test your mental and physical abilities.
The BlueSky Challenge has been designed to be fun as well as challenging and is inclusive for all abilities. There is no set route and the fittest team will not necessarily come first. Planning and developing a strategy is vital for success. Teams must work out in advance their best route and tactics to maximise points. Teams will be competing non-stop against the clock and will collect bonus points at each checkpoint. The team with the most bonus points and the fastest time will win the challenge.
About TSG
• TSG is one of the fastest growing IT companies in the UK. It has its headquarters in Newcastle-upon-tyne, with bases around the UK, including three offices in Scotland.
• The company now provides IT support and services for more than 11,000 businesses across the UK
• TSG has recently received two awards from Sage. TSG is Sage Business Partner of 2006 in two categories: Sage MMS and Sage Vertical applications.
• TSG is Pegasus business partner of the year 2006.
• TSG is a Microsoft Gold Partner and Small Business Accredited and has recently been awarded membership to the Microsoft Presidents’ Club, one of only 7 companies in the UK to have achieved the level of accreditation.
• TSG also holds Microsoft competencies in Network Infrastructure, Advanced Infrastructure, Information Worker and MBS
• TSG employs 440 staff.
• TSG has 12 offices across the UK: Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Gateshead, Teesside, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Alcester, London and Southampton
• TSG has an annualised turnover of £38m.
• TSG was founded by Graham Wylie, co-founder of Sage in 2003.
Find out more at http://www.tsg.com
For further information about TSG please contact
Adrian Mahoney, Spinney and Partners, tel. 01506 823714
Mobile: 07967 150560
Email: Adrian@spinpartners.com
For media enquiries about the BlueSky Challenge, please contact
Jo Chisholm on 01577 866776
Email: ballincrieff@aol.com
