June 30, 2023
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A team from 2023 Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver award winner Serica Energy has raised £10,000 by marching 54 miles for the British Army’s official charity.
The 15-strong team (pictured) took part in ABF The Soldiers’ Charity’s Cateran Yomp, challenging teams of soldiers, veterans and civilians to walk 22, 36 or 54 miles across the rugged terrain of the Perthshire countryside in less than 24 hours.
The team, including staff from the Aberdeen and London offices, both on and offshore, was one of the largest corporate teams taking part in this year’s Yomp, led by Aberdeen-based Scott Wells, Lead Area scheduler. He was joined by colleagues aged 25 to 60 in roles ranging from onshore technicians to senior management. Raising £10K in the process, the team scooped eight Gold medals, two Silver medals and five Bronze medals.
Reflecting on their achievements, Mr Wells, who reached Gold, said: “We arrived as colleagues but finished as friends and all as Cateran Veterans. Utmost respect to all the Yompers who started and finished this year’s challenge. It has been an incredible and well-organised experience; an honour and a privilege to be part of the Yomp.”
Brian Langton, Mechanical Technician, added: “From suffering a mini-stroke two years ago and feeling sorry for myself walking with a limp to reaching 22 miles and a Bronze medal, it doesn’t get any better than that! The teamwork and camaraderie from the charity network and support staff were amazing. Our captain Scott Wells was also inspirational from start to finish – it was awesome!”
Serica is one of the UK’s leading independent oil and gas companies, producing from 11 fields with a balanced, growth-oriented portfolio in the UK North Sea. They signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2021.
Over 1,200 soldiers and civilians from across the globe came together to support ABF The Soldiers’ Charity during the 12th Cateran Yomp.
Raising £300,000, the participants, aged 16 to 76, travelled from as far as the US, Lebanon, New Zealand, Ukraine, Italy and Germany to walk side-by-side on a 24-hour trek across the beautiful hills and glens of the historic Cateran Trail in Perthshire.
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the Army’s National Charity and provides a lifetime of support to serving soldiers, former soldiers, and their immediate families when they are in need, minimising hardship and encouraging independence and dignity.
Reflecting on the weekend, Major General Tim Hyams CB OBE, Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, commented: “The Cateran Yomp is a flagship event for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, and has this year seen record participation. I am hugely grateful to every single participant; all of whom have demonstrated significant mental and physical resilience, and an evident sense of teamwork. In so doing, they have made a tangible difference to our ability, as the Army’s national charity, to be there for soldiers, for life.”
