14th Feb 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
“Taking on the Great Wall of China trek has given me a real appetite for future events,” says Paolo Peretti of SSP. We take a look at how he is getting on with his training as well as his passion for taking on the “challenge of a lifetime”.
From 23 March to 3 April Peretti will join other hospitality workers to trek along the Great Wall. They will trek for around 4-6 hours every day, totaling approximately 85km. All proceeds raised will be going towards Springboard which is a charity that helps young, unemployed and disadvantaged people to find careers in the hospitality industry. Background of SSP We operate catering outlets in transport locations across 32 countries. We have a range of partner brands such as Marks & Spencer, Starbucks, Burger King, Caviar House & Prunier and WH Smiths as well as running our own brands such as Uppercrust, Delice De France and Millie's Cookies. What does your day to day job involve? I oversee our UK rail catering business which has 420 outlets across 120 locations as well as our Millies Cookies with 86 outlets across 60 locations. Most of my work is around a number of strategic initiatives which aim to grow the business. I also get involved in business development. My job involves a lot or travel across the UK so I spend a fair bit of my time on trains! Sum yourself up in one sentence Very driven and competitive but very loyal to people. I demand a lot from myself and others although I am quite pragmatic about life. What are your hobbies? At the moment lots of walking! I have a passion for ancient Egypt and get across there at least once a year. I love to travel and visit new and interesting places. How did it come about you taking on this challenge? Our group CEO spoke at a recent event and was approached by Springboard to send someone on the trek to which he agreed. I was then tasked to find a volunteer. It was around this time that I resolved to get fitter and this seemed the ideal opportunity to do that whilst at the same time doing something good for others. What does The Springboard Charity mean to you? SSP already works with Springboard in the UK and I am attracted to the concept of people being helped to help themselves. How do you feel about taking on the trek? I'm very much looking forward to it, my training has gone well and I feel that I will be fit enough to enjoy the trek. It's going to be tough but I am pretty sure that all of us will complete the trek. Have you ever done anything like this before? In a word, no! I used to run a lot in my younger days and I did a walk up Mount Sinai which nearly killed me but that's nowhere near as tough as I imagine this will be. Have you had much support to date? Loads, SSP have been brilliant both with giving me the time off to do this and with the sponsorship. My partner has also been fantastic, she comes along on all of my training walks and really encouraged me to go for it. Tell me about some of your fundraising events so far and anything you have planned for the future We did a fundraiser in December which attracted over 120 people and raised over £2000 pounds. I am already over the £7000 mark so hope to be able to push on and raise over £8000. What do you hope to get out of this kind of trip? The experience will be incredible and having met quite a few of my fellow trekkers I am certain it will be an enjoyable experience. This has given me a real appetite for future events and I have already signed up to do a fundraising cycle ride from London to Amsterdam later in the year. Comment's on Paolo's fundraising page "Impressive feat not to be underestimated." "Good luck Paolo, a braver man than I to attempt this." "Good luck Paolo, I've walked a very short distance on the Great Wall of China so know what's ahead of you, but I won't spoil your fun!!!"
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