Question: What has Run Geordie Run got in common with the Wakefield Wildcat Dolls dance team (pictured left)?
Answer: We are both very proud to be sponsored by Peter's Pies!
Yes, that's right folks, I'm very pleased to be able to announce the latest major sponsor of the 3100 mile run across the USA in 2011; PETER'S PIES.
Based in Caerphilly, South Wales Peter’s Pies has grown from a small pie manufacturer in Merthyr Tydfil to a company which bakes over 180 million pies, pastries and sausage rolls each year, delivering to a whole range of clients from major supermarket chains to stadiums, convenience stores and fish and chip shops.
The company is already supplying the likes of London Wasps, The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff City, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United where pies sales have all increased ahead of the market. Earlier this year they agreed an exclusive three year contract to become an Official Partner of the Engage Super League and to produce the “Official Pie of Rugby League”.
They were obviously after a "big" name to add to their already impressive sponsorship portfolio. I've heard unconfirmed rumours that they scoured the sporting world for the right kind of up and coming "athlete" to support.
Contact was made a few weeks ago, negotiations were swift and concluded today. If I can be serious for just one minute though, I can't tell you just how much I'm genuinely excited to announce that PETER'S PIES is on board and ultimately supporting 2 very worthy causes.
I should mention at this point that Peter's Pies were more than happy to contribute financially to my Tour Fund. i.e. the money I'm saving myself that will pay for the trip across the USA (Accommodation, fuel, insurance etc). As I've said many times before; "All funds pledged will be passed to the charities. All overheads associated with the run will be coming out of my own pocket.". So rest assured that the generous donation from Peter's Pies will be going to St Benedict's Hospice (Charity No. 1019410) and The Children's Foundation (Charity No. 1000013).
The story doesn't stop there though! The deal struck today means that Peter's Pies will add a full 50p for every £1 donated between now and the end of 2009. So please let me spell this out in simple terms with a few examples:
- Mr Geordie Ridley buys a Run Geordie Run t-shirt for £10 via www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2. Peter's Pies then adds a full £5 to the donation (£2.50 to each of the 2 charities). The total amount making it's way to the 2 charities is a staggering £15.
- Mrs Cushy Butterfield makes a traditional pledge of £5 via www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2. Peter's Pies then adds a full £2.50 to the donation (£1.25 to each of the 2 charities). The total amount making it's way to the 2 charities is a staggering £7.50.
- Mr Cuthbert Collingwood buys a Run Geordie Run CD for £3 via www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2. Peter's Pies then adds a full £1.50 to the donation (£0.75 to each of the 2 charities). The total amount making it's way to the 2 charities is a staggering £4.50.
- Dr Gibb makes a traditional pledge of £20 via www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2. Peter's Pies then adds a full £10.00 to the donation (£5.00 to each of the 2 charities). The total amount making it's way to the 2 charities is a staggering £30.00.
I'm sure you get the idea and, like me, you will realise just how much of an unbelievably generous offer of free money this is. I suppose it is akin to the Government's Gift Aid scheme in this country.
I should say that Peter's Pies set a very generous limit on this scheme. I should also say that I'll be going all out, with the help of the general public, to try and "unlock" the cash for the 2 charities by selling t-shirts, CDs, taking names for the "3000 scheme" and taking traditional pledges. We have 7 weeks left until the end of 2009 when the offer expires so please get in touch at rungeordierun@googlemail.com if you help in any way or make your pledge at www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun1 for St Benedict's Hospice or www.justgiving.com/rungeordierun2 for The Children's Foundation. Thanks in advance folks. As ever, on behalf of 2 wonderful charities, your help will be very much appreciated and go to making a positive difference to so many people, young and old.
Oh and before I sign off, I've got to say that I heard from a "very reliable source" today (just in case my mentor's David Fairlamb and Mark Fleming are reading this!) that the Peter's Premier Steak Pie and the Peter's Premier Chicken Curry pie are absolutely first class! I'd like to leave you with a few words from my new friends at Peter's Pies:
"Heaps of Passion for Flavour, every ounce of our 40 years of baking experience and prime cuts of meat.
We are formerly a family business and care about what we eat and what we feed our children, our attention and commitment to meat traceability, food hygiene standards, ingredient procurement and balanced eating mean that Peter's pies, pasties & sausage rolls are among the best available in retail and food service outlets.
Peter's don't do artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, additives, GMs or Hydrogenated Fat - there's just no need!".
