‘Spacemen’ take on Great North Run

Members of the Foyle community are being asked to take pity on the sweaty team from Seagate, who can be seen pounding local pavements in their ‘cleanroom suits’ from the factory floor - in preparation for September’s Great North Run.

With a fundraising target of £10k for NSPCC this year, the Great North Run is both a personal challenge for the team, and a great way to raise money for invaluable services provided in the Foyle area.

Desperately seeking sponsorship for their innovative endeavour, the team has taken on the half marathon challenge to raise funds for local NSPCC services.

Richard Gamble, Equipment Engineering Director at Seagate’s Springtown facility, said: “I wanted to do something that people could associate with Seagate and the one thing that came to mind was the cleanroom suits, or ‘bunny suits’ that are worn in our manufacturing area, so I decided to train for and run the event in one.

“Turns out it wasn’t one of my best ideas! They generate a lot of heat, particularly on a sunny day making running even more demanding than in regular gear.

“Thankfully, two colleagues Kevin McDermott and Brian Durnin have also taken up the challenge with me and we encourage and remind one another that this is for a very worthy cause. So if you spot us training in our cleanroom suits, please bear in mind that we’re not mad - we simply want to make a difference.”

Claire Quigley, NSPCC fundraising manager, commended Seagate on their commitment and motivation: “A half-marathon can be challenging at the best of times, so I really don’t envy them taking it on in a cleanroom suit! However, it just goes to show how determined they all are to make a real difference for vulnerable local children and families.

“Our teams in the therapeutic centre on the Glendermott Road, in the Young Witness Service on Bishop Street, and in our ChildLine base at Queens Quay, are determined to play their part in ending child abuse, and the efforts of Seagate will go a long way to supporting their work.

“Without your help we would not be able to continue our work with local children and families affected by issues such as physical and sexual abuse. Support Seagate and you’ll be helping us to help some of the most vulnerable members of your own community.”

The team has set up a mydonate page for anyone that would like to sponsor them in their challenge - https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/whitesuitrunners.