Hazel Taylor, Programme Manager at the Vitol Group rallied together a team of thirteen staff from the London office to join her in taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon this October.

The team raised an incredible £16,500 for Farm Africa, including matched funding from The Vitol Foundation.

The Vitol Foundation started supporting Farm Africa in 2007. They have been involved in many projects including sustainable development of aquaculture in the lake zone by supporting Farm Africa’s Aqua Shops project.

Hazel was integral to the groups fundraising success; she recruited the team; kick-started their fundraising; arranged an office bake-sale; and motivated the runners to smash their target. Hazel’s dedication and passion for taking on this challenge for Farm Africa is truly inspiring.

Hazel said “I was inspired to sign up to the Royal Parks Half as I saw it as a perfect opportunity to get a Vitol Group team together to support one of our top charity partners. Over my five years as Programme Manager for the Vitol Foundation I have been continually impressed with the ability of Farm Africa to deliver social, economic and environmental impact for vulnerable farming communities across East Africa.”

The events team went to meet with the runners to hold a fundraising session at Vitol’s London office. Hazel said “levels of motivation and commitment shot up after the Farm Africa team came in to speak to the team and explain more about the amazing work they do.”

The teams fundraising slowly clocked up the pounds via their Virgin Money Giving page. Hazel said “We emailed the link to friends and family as well as across the company and wider professional networks. We also put up posters around the office so colleagues could read about Farm Africa whilst going about their work. Vitol colleagues were incredibly generous and additional fundraising activities such as a delicious office cake bake certainly helped to raise the profile of our cause and create good will amongst colleagues! We are delighted with our final contribution of £16,500 and are sure Farm Africa will put it to excellent use!”

We cannot thank Hazel and the team enough for taking on this challenge and raising a whopping £16,500 for Farm Africa. Well done Team Vitol!