Operators at UM Terminals’ Gladstone Dock Terminal in Liverpool have been stepping up to the Great Molasses Challenge. The 10-strong team at the company’s biggest and busiest terminal have been diligently counting their steps during their hectic working days, contributing to the Challenge’s overall total mileage.
This unique Challenge aims to cover the distance of the first-ever UM molasses shipment in 1912 – a total of 4,820 miles (7,712 km) from the Dominican Republic to Hull. The Challenge will culminate in Hull on June 9th, with several colleagues participating in the Hull 10K.
Colleagues across the group are actively fundraising, with all proceeds ultimately being donated to the charity Farm Africa.
The Gladstone team consists of Les Culverston, Colin Hook, Lewis Chambers, Dave Garvey, Jamie Clintworth, Tate France, Nigel Bills, Martin Irigoyen, Luke Rochell, and Madison France.
A massive thank you to all of them for diligently logging their daily miles and either adding them directly to the Challenge App or passing them through to head office for uploading. Every single mile walked, run, jogged, or cycled brings the team closer to their target.
Les remarked, “You sometimes take for granted just how many miles the operators are walking each day, probably in the region of up to 19,000 steps a day (or 9.5 miles/15.2 km).
“For example, we can be walking 250 metres to discharge a ship and the same back several times a day. The terminal is around 1 km from one side to the other. Some days, it can be non-stop.
“We were keen to get involved in the Challenge and do our bit, and colleagues have either been adding the steps to the app at the end of the day or sending screenshots through each week to be added.
“It’s been a real team effort, not just the operators but also supervisors, site controllers, and others are getting involved.
“Hopefully, this will encourage colleagues at our other terminals to get involved too – every mile really is making a difference in getting us to our target by June 9th.”
The efforts by the Gladstone Dock terminal team are the latest example of colleagues across the UM Group coming together to support the Challenge.
Other activities have included the London Marathon, Liverpool Half-Marathon, cycling in the mountains of Majorca, lunchtime walks, weekend hikes, and the Great Limerick Run.
Some colleagues have simply been keeping track of their miles on their evening dog walks.
Please keep up the great work and continue spreading the word about the Great Molasses Challenge.
For more information visit www.umterminals.co.uk
