AES Solar tackle marathon march to raise funds for mental health charity.
AES Solar are delighted to announce our latest commemorative event as we celebrate our 40th year in business.
Taking us out from behind our computer screens and our comfort zones, a team of dedicated AES Solar staff will undertake The Dava Way, on Sunday 29th of September. This long distance walking route typically commences in Grantown-on-Spey and travels over 38 km to the historic town and location of our head office, Forres.
In order to round up the 38 km distance and eclipse our birthday milestone we will then continue onto Findhorn, symbolically concluding our walk where AES Solar was first founded in 1979. Despite the overall distance coming in at over 44 km and surpassing a marathon, the walk is aided by the gentle gradients and firm surfaces, making it an ideal route for the more amateur walker among us.
The Dava Way is a great challenge to undertake as a team with our varying experience and fitness levels but also makes for a great fundraising opportunity, following the success of the AES Solar Three Peaks Challenge last year which successfully raised over £3,500 for the British Heart Foundation.
With that in mind we have decided to dedicate any fundraising efforts towards the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). SAMH are committed to supporting and improving the mental wellbeing of everyone in Scotland and currently operate over 60 services in communities across Scotland.
The 44 km walk the AES Solar team will undertake, Image Credit: Moray Ways
Changing Lives by Making Strides
Every year 1 in 4 people in Scotland will experience a mental health problem, therefore any money raised will go towards SAMH’s efforts to transform lives and help people with mental illness on their journey to recovery.
Therefore, we would kindly ask anyone who can spare a donation, no matter how big or small, to give what they can to our just giving page.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aes-solar1
And don’t forget if you’re a UK taxpayer be sure to check the Gift Aid box so that SAMH will receive an additional 25p for every £1 you donate (at no extra cost to you).
Your donations will not only go towards supporting these vital services but will also provide team AES Solar with the welcome motivation and encouragement they need to face the marathon walk ahead of them. We would also like to take this opportunity to invite any friends and family of AES Solar to join us for the day, or even part of the route!
This year marks a year of celebration for AES Solar, as we mark our fourth decade of uninterrupted business. Established in 1979 we carved a niche in the emerging solar power market as the first manufacturers of solar thermal collectors in Western Europe. We have since adapted to the changes in the market predicting the popularity of solar PV and embracing energy storage systems.
A Time and Pace For Everyone
Technical Director Campbell MacLennan, who initiated the idea alongside keen hillwalker and Project Manager Stuart Engelmann said, “We’re an ambitious bunch here at AES Solar and we like to pride ourselves on going above and beyond what is expected of us. Our attitude to fundraising is no different, having completed the Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours last year. However, we’re hoping the flatter surface and the more relaxed pace of The Dava Way will appeal to a wider audience and are therefore inviting friends and family of AES Solar to join us for the day or even part of the journey. The more the merrier!”
George Goudsmit Managing Director said, “40 years is a long time in this relatively new industry and in our time we’ve seen many companies come and go. This longevity is partly due to our high levels of experience and expertise, however you can’t undermine the importance of giving back and supporting worthy causes, such as the incredible work carried out by SAMH. The willingness to complete these challenges is a true reflection of the AES Solar team and I am extremely proud that after 40 years in business we are as ambitious and determined as ever.”