Making waves of change: Our dragon boat fundraiser for Lia's Wings

By Adam Barratt, Head of Talent Marketing

​How much does a dragon weigh? Well, it depends on the scales.

​

On Wednesday, 18th July 2023, Guidant Global, alongside colleagues from our sister brand, Comensura, were invited by our other group STEM brands who fall under our parent company, Impellam, to take part in on a day full of competition, networking and raising money for a worthy charity. Team GMS was formed!

2023’s STEM Corporate Charity Day, held at Dorney Lake, Buckinghamshire brought together customers and Impellam brands alike to race against each other in dragon boats, across a 200m stretch of water, in pursuit of all-out glory, with the ultimate aim of raising as much money as possible for their partner charity, Lia’s Wings.

Lia’s Wings is a charity which provides hospital air transfers for sick or in-need children. Established in 2010 (and formerly known as the ‘Lucy Air Ambulance’), they set about transforming the lives of families that desperately need transportation for critically ill children.

With their very first transportation journey taking place in 2011, they have significantly grown the number of transfers they carry out each year, as well as increasing the variety of specialist services they provide. We were all so honoured and privileged to be able to raise as much awareness, and money for this worthy charity.

The event itself was made up of 14 teams, with each team undertaking three heats against three randomly selected teams. The quickest two times from each teams’ respective heats would be combined, giving an overall score. And, the four teams with the lowest combined scores would make it through to the semi-finals, and a chance to go-for-gold in the grand finale.

Team GMS did not disappoint: After a rather lacklustre opening heat, the team combined resources, planned strategic targets, consumed much food, and ultimately produced an outstanding game-plan to claw back some pride after a dismal first run. Heats two and three saw our team storm through the field, from 10th place to 2nd overall, clocking two 60-second times. Moving into the semi-final, we were up against a customer team: The Royal Navy.

Unfortunately, a place in the grand final wasn’t to be for our team. And, ultimately, the Navy’s experience in all things aquatic shone through. Team GMS were pipped to the post by the Navy, who eventually went on to beat Team Lorien in the grand final, claiming Gold.

All was not lost though – as the fastest losing team from the semi-finals, the team beat Team KPMG to the Bronze medal position. However, the real winner of the day was the partner charity, Lia’s Wings. Team GMS were all so proud to have played a part, alongside Impellam's Centre of Excellence and Impellam Customer Office in helping to raise over £10,000 for the charity.

What an achievement!

​

Want to work #ABetterWay? Explore our vacancies and join #TeamGuidant >