Sponsorship

Ewen Johnstone Conquers the Inca Trail in aid of MENCAP

Ewen Johnstone, Landside Administrator at DP World Southampton who successfully completed the Inca Trail and raised over £3,500 for MENCAP, the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.

Ewen’s journey began in the town of Cusco on 13 May 2008 and finished on 25 May 2008, which included eight days of trekking with 33 fellow trekkers including his parents. Ewen was lucky enough to experience other trails as well as the world famous Inca Trail.  They walked between eight and eleven hours a day in 35°C heat!

Talking about the experience, Ewen said:

“If anyone has the chance to go to Peru and trek through the Andes I would strongly recommend it.  Climbing to over 4600 metres and being surrounded by snow capped mountains was an incredible experience.  We had a very hard eight day trek along recently discovered Inca trails up and down mountains through villages and rainforests to our final destination Machu Picchu.  Walking through the Sun Gate to look down upon the famous ruins was a truly unbelievable and unforgettable moment.”

Ewen and his parents decided to take part in the trek to raise money for MENCAP in recognition of the support the charity has provided to Ewen’s sister Thea.  It is thanks to the support of family, friends, work colleagues and a donation of £500 from DP World Southampton that, in total, the Johnstone’s have raised over £10,000 for the charity.

Arron Completes London Marathon in Under Four Hours

Arron Taylor, Controller at DP World Southampton successfully completed the London Marathon on Sunday 13 April 2008 in less than four hours and raised over £1500 for the Round Table Children’s Wish charity in the process. 

Arron received donations and pledges from friends, family and work colleagues including a donation of £250 from the terminal.

His interest in running stems back to his college days when ran around 10 miles a week.  The training for the London Marathon began shortly after Christmas and was ramped up to 35-40 miles a week to ensure that he met his target of a sub four hour time.  Arron’s motivation for taking part was not only the personal challenge but the fact that he could raise money for a good cause at the same time.

Talking afterwards, Arron said:

“It's definitely something I would recommend to anyone who has ever thought about doing it.  The physical aspect of running is great for keeping fit, but running a marathon takes a lot of mental strength as well. The buzz you get from the crowd shouting your name and offering encouragement really helps you through the tough bits and the feeling of achievement when you cross the finish line is amazing.”