Trekker Profile – Fiona Hopkinson

Background of Talkington Bates Talkington Bates was founded by Janice Talkington and Paul Bates in 1997 and continues to operate as a wholly independent company under their ownership, now with over 35 contracts. Janice and Paul's mission has always been to provide a totally flexible, highly personalised, quality catering service driven by a passionate commitment to providing the best foodservice in their sector. Talkington Bates Midlands started in October 2009 with Fiona Hopkinson as managing director. This company was created to offer a personal, local service to businesses in the Midlands and North of England as well as venturing into new territories such as the care and public sectors. It already has over £2m turnover and more than eight contract wins including: Genzyme, leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology company; West Midlands Fire Service Headquarters, Training Academy & Workshop and Codemasters, game development company. What does your day to day job involve? No two days are the same for me as MD of Talkington Bates Midlands. My role includes supporting my operations team to ensure that the promises we made during the sales process is delivered at every stage of the service, meeting prospective clients and understanding what they are looking for from their current service and how we can work with them in driving their service forward. Also ensuring that I am creating the opportunity for everyone with our company to flourish. Sum yourself up in one sentence Determined, focused, very driven and never give in. What are your hobbies? Well, now it is walking!!! Before taking up this challenge I would be cooking and entertaining and playing with my boys. How did it come about you taking on this challenge? A colleague asked me if I would do it – and I just said yes before I had really thought about it!!! China has always been somewhere I have wanted to visit and to experience authentic Chinese food. Of course getting fit is a massive bonus. What does The Springboard Charity mean to you? Springboard creates amazing opportunities which is essential in life for everyone – sometimes it is harder to find that opportunity for some people so organisations such as Springboard are essential. I suppose it is close to me as I have a little boy who has Down Syndrome and maybe one day he will benefit from Springboard. How do you feel about the trek? I can't wait – I have to say I am really excited! Have you ever done anything like this before? No, but I do like a challenge and this certainly is that! Have you had much support to date? Enormous amount of support from Talkington Bates Ltd who have sponsored me over £2,000 plus numerous events which we are running through every unit linked to China. I have also been sponsored by family and friends and a number of suppliers. A huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me and those of you that haven't yet… please do. Tell me about some of your fundraising events so far and anything you have planned for the future? We are organising a Race Night on 26th February. Tickets include a two course supper cooked by our wonderful Talkington Bates chefs. The evening will be a real giggle. Also in April we are having an Auction of Promises which includes; creating a bespoke blend of coffee at a roasting house, dinner for six cooked in your own home by our award winning chef, a weekend for two at hand picked hotels, dinner for six and a masterclass, to mention at few … What do you hope to get out of this kind of trip? Certainly improved fitness but also a huge sense of achievement and mastering a challenge that if I'd thought too long about it I may never have done. Being able to help the Springboard charity and give something back to a charity supporting an industry that I've been in for over 20 years is also very rewarding. The whole journey has been amazing and I'm sure the challenge of the trip itself will never be forgotten, one of those 'once in a lifet