Direct Mail Producer Goes Bananas For Charity

After work, one sunny afternoon, staff of OTM Swindon decided to race a banana.

After work, one sunny afternoon, staff of OTM Swindon decided to race a banana.

According to the company, whilst that might sound like an odd idea, it was a way of raising awareness of healthy eating and exercise, whilst raising money to fund scientific research in to cancer prevention, as well as an education programme.

Created by OTM's client, World Cancer Research Fund, the fund raising is set to become annual 'beat the banana' event as it was such a success.

Founded to coincide with 'fruity friday', one of the charity's annual awareness campaigns, 'beat the banana' gives participants the chance to race against an athletic man dressed as a banana.

Four members of staff from OTM Swindon took part in the race and there were over 150 members of OTM staff, family and friends who sponsored the race.

The runners were manager Rod Kerr, account managers Catherine Crowe and Angela Kane and Keith Roberts, the company's print procurement manager.

The 'banana' completed the run in 25 minutes and the last runner from team OTM completed the course in a time of 58 minutes.

OTM raised over GBP300 in sponsorship, a figure that was matched by a charitable donation from OTM chairman and founder, Peter DeHaan, bringing the final donation figure for WRCF in excess of GBP700.

Last year OTM took part in the 'fruity friday' event, which raised over GBP200.

As well as raising money, aimed to raise awareness of the need to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, there was information on healthy eating and cancer prevention on hand for staff.

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