Snowman Sooey's magical miles for smiles charity haulage marathon

A blizzard of cuddly snowmen and their helpers are preparing a fundraising marathon to raise thousands of pounds for charity as they travel the highways and byways of Britain.

Starting out at mission control - Marsh Industries head office in Addington Park Industrial Estate, Little Addington - company mascot Sooey Marsh will lead their ‘Miles for Smiles’ Christmas fundraising campaign.

Sooey's festive challenge is to travel 20,000 miles in five days across the UK with the Marsh Team of drivers stopping off along the way to take a selfie at some of the country's landmarks.

For every mile travelled by one of the Sooey snowmen, the off-mains drainage product producer will donate £1 for each mile covered from November 16 to November 20.

Mission chief, Steve Boyer, said: "2020 has been a year that none of us will forget in a hurry. The importance of helping others wherever you can and giving to those who need it most has

been vital this year.

“We’re hoping Sooey can complete his mission and raise some much needed funds for UK Children’s Hospitals, as well as raising some smiles for our valued customers and colleagues.”

The children's hospitals set to benefit from travel marathon are from the UK's four nations in Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

Company director Lydia Boyer said: "At Marsh we always had a winter drinks promotion where we would send say a crate of beer to our customer when they ordered from us during the months of November and December. However, we believe that 2020 has changed a lot of people’s outlook on what is really important.

"We sat down as a team including all departments of the company, both in Addington, Bridgwater and our external sales force. We wanted an idea that was a little different and one that would truly help the people in our society who are the most vulnerable and in need, children.

"We deliver products daily throughout the whole of the UK so we decided that we would choose children’s charities in each home nation.

"We hope the money that we donate to each hospital will give the children and the people that work in the charities and hospitals some joy over Christmas particularly at a time when everyone really deserves to have as much of a good Christmas they can.

About a dozen drivers will be accompanying Sooey on the cuddly snowman's travels next week criss-crossing the UK as they make deliveries.

Steve, 63, said: “If you spot Sooey during his mission, please share your pictures and messages with us on our social media."

You can follow Sooey's daily progress at marshindustries.co.uk/sooey and on their social media channels using the hashtag #SooeyMarsh.