AO Smile Foundation helps employees smash fundraising target for sponsored 28km walk

AO employees raised more than £2,600 for Kidney Research UK by completing a 28km trek from the online electricals retailer’s Bolton headquarters to the AO Arena in Manchester.

Nine of the company’s acquisition team took on the gruelling five-hour walk during one of their biannual ‘Make a Difference’ days – where AOers can swap time at their desk to do good in the community or raise money for charity.

Battling against hot weather, the group stopped for ice cream on the way and were each given a glass of champagne from the AO Electric Lounge when they finally arrived at the Arena.

Affiliate manager Graham Murray explained that the team’s chosen charity is one close to his heart. Having spent a number of years on dialysis, Graham’s mum donated one of her kidneys to him two years ago and he underwent a successful transplant.

Graham has since received plenty of support from Kidney Research UK, so is delighted to be able to give something back. “I was made up the rest of the team were so keen to back Research UK as the chosen charity for our sponsored walk,” he said.

“I spent two years on dialysis before my transplant and now rely on immunosuppression for my transplanted kidney to remain healthy.

“Kidney Research UK have been very involved in all of my treatments so being able to raise so much money for them made the walk more than worth it.”

AO’s charitable arm, the AO Smile Foundation gave the donations a boost of £885, helping to smash the initial target of £1,500 and take the total to £2,655.

Ronan-Peate, community and events manager at Kidney Research UK said: “It is always fantastic to see co-workers come together to take on an great challenge and raise money for charity particularly when it’s one that’s so close to their colleague’s heart.

“The AO employees have completed an amazing achievement and subsequently raised far more than their initial target and we are incredibly grateful for their determination and generosity.

“The money that they have raised will go to supporting research to help more people like Graham by transforming treatments and helping us to one day live in a world without kidney disease.”