Camphill School Aberdeen has received a funding boost from Subsea7 following a month-long employee wellbeing initiative.

Throughout September, more than 100 colleagues across Subsea7’s Aberdeen office have been putting their best foot forward in aid of Camphill School Aberdeen. Employees walked, ran, and even took part in a triathlon, both in teams and individually, as part of their Step Up for Camphill challenge.

Over 140 employees walked a total of 43 million steps over 30 days – the equivalent of travelling Lands End to John O’Groats 24 times! They raised an amazing £3553.53.

The challenge not only helped raise funds for Camphill School Aberdeen but also supported staff wellbeing. Walking, even just for 20 minutes a day, can greatly reduce stress levels, enhance mental clarity and focus, and improve physical health. Employees were encouraged to walk to and from work, walk during their lunch break, and go for runs in the evening.  

One colleague who took part in the initiative walked just over 1 million steps, an average of 33,000 steps a day, simply by choosing to walk to work rather than taking public transport.  

Charlotte Henderson, Fundraising Executive (Corporate) for Camphill School Aberdeen, said: “We’re always grateful when corporates come to us with innovative ideas for fundraising, so we were delighted when Subsea7 approached us with this idea.

“Subsea7 have been fantastic supporters of Camphill School Aberdeen since 2022 and it was great to see how many employees got involved with the Step Up for Camphill challenge.”

Camphill School Aberdeen’s young people also got involved by crafting trophies and spoons in their vocational workshops for participants. These workshops are part of the charity’s wider approach to learning where young people learn about and engage with different crafts, land-based work and social enterprise opportunities. The art workshop designed a logo which can be seen on the trophies made by the bike workshop, and the wood workshop was tasked with creating the spoons.

The fundraising event will culminate in a presentation ceremony where a cheque will be handed to representatives from Camphill School Aberdeen. Meanwhile, the trophies and spoons were exchanged during a prize-giving ceremony at the Subsea7 office where a bake sale was also held.

Subsea7’s donation will go towards Camphill School Aberdeen’s sensory playpark project which aims to build Aberdeen’s first fully inclusive free outdoor playground. It will provide a safe space for young people with sensory disorders to exercise their right to play. Endorsed by the National Autistic Society, the playground has been designed to reduce sensory overload and engage sensory experiences such as touch, sight, sound and smell.