A 14-strong team of Pannone fundraisers took to the streets on Sunday to compete in the 20^th Great Manchester Run.

Taking part in both the 10k race and the half marathon, the team raced around the streets of the city, taking in sights such as Beetham Tower and Old Trafford Football Ground, before finishing the race along with more than 25,000 other participants.

The Pannone team were raising money for one of the firm’s chosen charities, St Ann’s Hospice, with more than £2,500 being raised so far.

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone Corporate, said: “Congratulations to everyone who completed the Great Manchester Run, in what were very hot and sunny conditions!

“It’s fantastic to see so many of the team coming together to support one of our chosen charities, St Ann’s Hospice – an amazing charity which carries out such vital work across Greater Manchester. It’s also really pleasing to see the values and ethos of the firm come to life on the streets of Manchester.”

St Ann’s Hospice is a Manchester institution and one of the oldest and largest adult hospices outside of London. It provides care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses, as well as to their families and carers.

The Pannone team have a number of other charitable events lined up in support of the charity, including a Tough Mudder challenge later this year. If you would like to support the team, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pannone-corporate-llp

600-miles, nine consecutive days and a lot of mud and rain later, employment partner Jack Harrington has conquered the notorious Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh trail – all in the name of charity.

Along with six friends, Jack set off on the once in a lifetime charity challenge at the end of March, cycling from Hanoi in the north of the country, before heading south through jungle routes and mountains to Hoi An. In often hot, wet and muddy conditions, the group cycled between 95 and 140 kms each day, spending two consecutive days covering around 200 miles.

The cycling feat, which was delayed for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was completed in memory of friend Dean Masom, with money raised being donated to The Dean Masom Hope Tribute Fund (supporting The Christie) and Once Upon a Smile, the only charity of its kind to provide emotional and practical support to bereaved families.

Jack said: “Sadly, in 2010 we lost our friend Dean, who died at just 39 from a brain tumour. When we agreed  to embark on this cycling challenge we decided to use it to raise money for the memorial fund set up in Dean’s name to support the incredible work that is carried out at The Christie into cancer research and treatment, while also supporting the brilliant work done by Once Upon a Smile.”

 On his return from Vietnam, Jack said: “This was by far the hardest thing I have ever done, but we all managed to finish it!

“It’s fair to say that we’re all exhausted after cycling nearly1,000 km over nine days through a mixture of gruelling heat, driving rain and kamikaze drivers! On the final day, in temperatures over 30 degrees, we climbed the infamous Hai Van pass and eventually finished the ride in the lovely town of Hoi An. We’re delighted to report that, together with the original sponsorship, we have raised nearly £10,000 for two fantastic charities.”

If you would still like to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/velovietnam1

Employment partner Jack Harrington is taking on the notorious Vietnamese Ho Chi Minh trail later this month, as part of a charity challenge in memory of friend Dean Masom.

The seven-strong group – who were supposed to take on the cycling fundraiser three years ago, but had to cancel it due to the COVID-19 pandemic – will set off on 26 March.

The team will cycle for nine consecutive days, starting from Hanoi in the north of the country, before heading south through jungle routes and mountains in temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees. Cycling between 95 and 140 kms each day, they will spend two consecutive days covering around 200 miles, before finishing their once in a lifetime challenge in Hoi An.

So far, Jack and the team have raised £3,500, which has already been donated to their chosen charities – The Dean Masom Hope Tribute Fund (supporting The Christie) and Once Upon a Smile, the only charity of its kind to provide emotional and practical support to bereaved families. The group now hopes to raise a further £3,500 three years on from when the initial trip was set to start.

Jack explains: “Sadly, in 2010 we lost our friend Dean, who died at just 39 from a brain tumour. When we agreed  to embark on this cycling challenge we decided to use it to raise money for the memorial fund set up in Dean’s  name to support the incredible work that is carried out at The Christie –into cancer research and treatment, while also supporting the brilliant work done by Once Upon a Smile.

“The small matter of a global pandemic may have set us back a few years, but we’re determined to take on the infamous Ho Ch Minh trail. After several training rides in Spain, we’re now set to finally begin the challenge later this month.”

The Dean Masom Hope Tribute Fund was set up to support brain tumour research at The Christie. Currently little is known about brain tumours, with research projects only receiving minor funding at present.

Jack added: “Throughout Dean’s life, and brief illness, he made those who loved him very proud and was a keen fundraiser. I’m sure he’d be very proud of the tribute fund and the work it’s helping to support, as well as everyone involved.”

Pannone Corporate is one of a number of corporate sponsors supporting the team’s efforts on 26 March. These include: Northstone, Peel L&P, Aptus Utilities, Eurogold, E3P , NJL Consulting,  Daintree, Verlingue  and Tritech.

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone Corporate, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be supporting Jack and the team on what is an epic challenge. After months of training, and years of waiting, they’re all set to take on Ho Chi Minh trail  and raise money for two extremely worthy causes. We wish them all the very best on their nine-day challenge.”

If you would like to donate to the challenge, visit https://www.justgiving.com/team/velovietnam1 

Georgina Bligh-Smith is a paralegal in our insolvency and restructuring team. But, outside of work, she’s an avid hiker, spending much of her free time climbing some of the UK’s best-known mountains, racking up the miles and reaching new heights, in terms of elevation!

You can follow her climbing exploits on her Instagram page, @hikewithg_, where in the last 10 days she has posted about her greatest challenge yet – Tour du Mont Blanc. Along with her cousin, Danielle, Georgina has taken on the 170km trek, including 10,000m cumulative ascent and descent, with only one backpack and staying in mountain huts along the way.

In preparation for her epic adventure, Georgina has packed in several training hikes, including the Coledale 10 Peak Challenge in the Lake District (10 mountains, 13 miles, and 1700m elevation); Snowdon via Moel Elilio (14 miles, 1600m+ elevation); as well as a 20-mile trek in the Peak District. But nothing compares to the triumph of completing the Tour du Mont Blanc – all in aid of The Ella Dawson Foundation set up in memory of the 24-year-old who sadly passed away from a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer in July 2021.

Georgina’s 10-day journey began on 21 August at Les Houches, before arriving at the first refuge point in Auberge le Truc via Col du Tricot, with further stops in de la Balme; des Mottets (which included a well-deserved dip in fresh glacier water after tackling Tete des Nord Fours (2756m high); a celebratory Aperol Spritz at Maision Viellle, after crossing the border between France and Italy on day four; a big hike across Grand Col Ferret on day six, taking the duo out of Italy and into Switzerland; before finishing back at Les Houches after 15+ miles on 30 August.

After completing the Tour du Mont Blanc challenge, Georgina said: “This was a trip of a lifetime, not just because of the unbelievable mountain scenery throughout, but because we had the chance to connect with likeminded people from across the world on the same journey as us. Hiking six to eight hours a day for 10 days straight was tough, but the views were worth it!

“My cousin is close friends with Ella’s family, so it feels particularly special to us to have been able to raise awareness of the Foundation in the process.”

Paul Jonson, senior partner at Pannone Corporate, added: “Huge congratulations to Georgina on completing this epic adventure! We knew Georgina had a love of hiking, but to take on such a long distance hike in the Alps is extremely impressive. It’s a fantastic achievement for a wonderful cause and Georgina should be incredibly proud of her feat.”

If you would like to donate to the Ella Dawson Foundation and support Georgina’s charity challenge, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ella-dawson-foundaton