University staff ‘walk to work’

Health-conscious staff from the University of St Andrews will don their trainers or cycling shorts next week (Monday 10th May 2004) to take part in the University’s second fund- raising ‘Walk / Cycle to Work’ event.

The event, organised and encouraged by the University’s Staff Development team, will involve staff making their own way to St Andrews from places as far flung as Dundee, Leuchars, Cupar and Balmullo.

Participants will be sponsored or make a donation towards their ‘healthy breakfast’ at the finish line, and all money raised will again go to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, to enable them to enhance the services provided by their Cardiac Rehabilitation service. The inaugural event last year raised over £850 for the work of the Service.

This year’s optional event was organised to kick off the University’s 2004 Staff Development Day, the theme of which is ‘Employee Volunteering’. Through the Walk/Cycle to Work Day, the University aims to raise additional funding for a valuable local cardiac rehab service, promote the value of active exercise for staff and encourage forms of ‘green transport.’

The theme of ‘Volunteering’ continues through the day with a ‘Volunteers’ Fayre’ taking place for University staff over lunchtime in Lower College Hall.

Representatives from over 20 local groups and organisations will be on hand to chat to staff members about the work they do in the community, and the opportunities available for staff to become involved in their work. Groups represented include Red Cross, Sense Scotland, Fife Young Carers, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Rotary Club, St Andrews Preservation Trust and even the University’s own Careers Service.

Sandy Wilkie, the University’s Staff Development Manager, said:

“Employee Volunteering is a growing area in a variety of all organisations, and a great chance for staff to give some of their time, ideas or energy to really worthwhile local causes. Local voluntary projects and communities benefit by gaining direct practical support for initiatives that might not happen otherwise. Employees gain too, by having a unique learning opportunity to develop a range of skills and expertise out with their usual working environment. The benefits to both parties can be immense.”

ENDS

NOTE TO PICTURE EDITORS:

2 PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES – BOTH MONDAY 10TH MAY 2004

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE UNIVERSITY SPORTS CENTRE, NORTH HAUGH, ST ANDREWS AT 8.15AM ON MONDAY AS THE ‘WALK/CYCLE TO WORK’ PARTICIPANTS ARRIVE IN ST ANDREWS. AT 8.30AM THEY CAN BE PHOTOGRAPHED TUCKING INTO THEIR HEALTHY BREAKFASTS IN NEW HALL FUNCTION ROOM 1.

THERE WILL BE A FURTHER PHOTO OPP AT LOWER COLLEGE HALL, ST SALVATOR’S QUADRANGLE AT 12.30PM AS THE DOORS OPEN FOR THE VOLUNTEERS’ FAYRE.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected] Ref: volunteers fayre pr 070504.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk