Flight Centre is pleased to announce the Flight Centre Schools Triathlon is returning for its third year in 2018 – in what is set to be its biggest year yet.
Since 2016 more than 3,500 children between the ages of 7-13 have taken part and raised nearly £400,000 for charity.
More than 3,000 children are set to take part in this year’s event, with a fundraising target of £300,000. Around 50 prep schools from local areas will take part and put together teams to run, swim and cycle at the triathlon events, taking place between 22nd April – 20th May.
The Flight Centre Schools Triathlon is a series of four events encouraging children aged 7-13 to participate in triathlons in a safe and non-competitive environment while raising money for charity. The children compete in teams of four at running, swimming and cycling. To ensure the events are inclusive for everyone, only the team’s overall time (rather than individual times for each child) will be recorded.
The Flight Centre Schools Triathlon supports Restless Development, an international development charity that puts young people at the very heart of dealing with the issues that affect them, their communities, and their countries. The events will raise funds for Restless Development and the chosen charities of the host and participating schools.
This year’s events will be hosted by Royal Russell School, Croydon; Bradfield College, Berkshire; Cranleigh School, Surrey; and Marlborough College, Wiltshire.
Chris Gallanty, Flight Centre UK Managing Director, said: “Seeing the children put their heart and soul into competing – not only on the field but also in their fundraising – is so inspiring. This a brilliant example of what young people can do when they set their mind to it and we are proud to support them and their families. We are also delighted by how our colleagues at Flight Centre have thrown themselves into the events as volunteers on the day. It is a reflection of the enthusiasm we see in teams throughout the business.”
The event is the brainchild of entrepreneur and long-time trustee of Restless Development, Jim Sewell, and ex City PR Tessa Murray.
Laura Woodhouse, Senior Fundraising Manager at Restless Development, said: “The Triathlon is an amazing event, not only because of the vital money it raises, but because it shows young people around the world standing side by side to support each other. The power these young people have to make change is an inspiration.”
Mr Sewell added: “With the support of Flight Centre and the generous host schools we can make sure that the money the children raise goes to the charities which benefit. We are thrilled with the way the Schools Triathlon has taken off – the combination of sport and fundraising has really struck a chord with the children. We are expecting to have our biggest year so far. With the ongoing support of Flight Centre we can plan for the future and realise our aim to make this a nationwide event which raises a £1 million a year for charity.”
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Notes to Editor:
The Flight Centre Schools Triathlon was established in 2016. The event has seen more than 3,500 children between the ages of 7-13 take part and raise nearly £400,000 for Restless Development and 40 other charities.
More information about the event is available here: http://restlessdevelopment.org/schools-triathlon or follow on Twitter @schooltriathlon or Instagram @Schoolstriathlon
For further press information, please contact:
Melissa Hobson/Natalie Garland/James Brooke
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0)20 3440 8927
E: [email protected]
About the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG)
The Flight Centre Travel Group (fctgl.com) is one of the world’s largest travel companies with over 18,000 staff and 2500 stores across its leisure, corporate and wholesale businesses. The company’s turnover in 2014/2015 financial year was £9 billion. After starting with one shop 30 years ago, FCTG has enjoyed remarkable growth and is one of the top 100 publicly listed companies on the Australian Securities Exchange.
All specialist brands under the FCTG Corporate banner offer 24/7 support and the benefits of a blended offline/online solution; global negotiation strength and unique and superior business travel products.
About Flight Centre
The team at Flight Centre are experts when it comes to travel and are committed to providing customers with a great experience. The company’s success comes down to its people, experienced Travel Experts who are passionate about finding their customers the holiday they want, for the price they want.
Since establishing the first Flight Centre store in 1995, the business has grown its team of Travel Experts to include over 80 stores within the United Kingdom, with new stores opening regularly. Worldwide, Flight Centre has an amazing 2,500 stores across the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Canada and more, making Flight Centre one of the largest and most successful independent travel retailers in the world. With its global reach and close relationships with the world’s best travel providers, the company is able to provide competitive travel deals.
The Flight Centre team can organise anything from flights and hotels, car hire, tours, travel insurance, visas and more to tailor make the perfect holiday. They also have dedicated First and Business Class flight teams and Business Travel teams to help with any specialised travel needs.
For more information go to www.flightcentre.co.uk, www.facebook.com/FlightCentreUK, www.twitter.com/flightcentre_UK or www.instagram.com/flightcentreuk.
About Restless Development
Young people have the power to solve the challenges we face in our world, but they are being sidelined. Restless Development is a global agency that works with young people so they can lead in solving those challenges. Whether that means supporting communities to end child marriage or prevent HIV, Restless Development works with young people to change their lives and the lives of people in their communities. Restless Development is run out of hubs in ten countries across Africa, Asia and in the UK and USA, with a wider network of partners across the world. The agency has been working with young people since 1985 and its work is led by thousands of young people every year. For more information www.restlessdevelopment.org
