Staff from housebuilding firm Vistry Western have taken part in a unique event to raise awareness around the issue of suicide among young people.
Staff from the company, based in Clifton, were involved in the western leg of this national event, which saw a commemorative book carried 1,163 miles across the country without the assistance of any motorised transport.
The Vistry Voyage has been organised by the housebuilder and involves hundreds of its staff in a show of support for its group charity Papyrus – which works to help prevent suicide in the younger generation.
Emma Colin, regional managing director of Vistry Western, said: “Papyrus is a charity which is very close to all of our hearts, and we have been supporting the organisation in a number of ways throughout the year.
“The Vistry Voyage is one of the biggest charity events we have organised to date and we are proud that so many people from the business gave their time to play their part.
“People ran, cycled, walked and even kayaked – the whole concept of the voyage is remarkable and I want to send a big thank you out to everyone who got involved.
“The issue of suicide is one that is important to all of us as a business, particularly as it affects so many of the people who work in our industry.”
Vistry Western’s procurement manager, Steve James cycled 68 miles from the company’s Spinnaker new homes development in Westbury to Orchard Grove in Comeytrowe and was assisted by Greg Arlotte.
He commented: “It was a superb day, with great support from Greg in the car providing me with regular snacks, road advice and encouragement. I have never cycled the route before so the scenery was a welcome distraction from the mileage. The weather was kind and the rain mercifully waited until I had reached Comeytrowe before appearing.
“It was an honour to raise money for Papyrus, which is doing fantastic work providing a service to people in crisis, and to ride in honour of my son’s friend Matt who sadly took his life earlier this year. Thanks to everyone for their support and help in making this happen.”
Vistry Western, which builds Bovis and Linden properties, is one of 23 business units across the country stretching from the North East of England to Devon and Cornwall.
Staff from each business unit took charge of the book for their own section of the journey. Everyone who took part in the mammoth trek personally signed the book and money was also raised through sponsorship throughout the six-week-long journey.
For updates on the Vistry Voyage, visit www.vistrygroup.co.uk and follow the housebuilder on social media.
