A CIRENCESTER business has raised much-need charity funds by taking part in a mammoth trek across the Cotswolds.

80 employees and members of St. James’s Place, a wealth management company with head quarters in Cirencester, took part in the Adventure Trek across the Cotswolds, raising a whopping £110,000 for the young people’s charity, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a challenge for 14 to 24 year-olds, and consists of three levels of awards that require participants to carry out a range of physical and mental challenges, plus volunteering.

Founded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1956, the popular award helps not only to enhance young people’s lives but create a big boost to their future careers, too.

The second ever fundraising Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Adventure Trek, which St.James Place were a title sponsor of as part of a fundraising partnership that began in 2016, started from Postlip Hall Farm in the Cotswolds over the weekend September 15 and 16, with this year’s major challenge consisting of a 30km hike on the Saturday, before an overnight camp and 20km hike on the Sunday.

Jonathan McMahon, Joint Chief Operating Officer at St. James’s Place, said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has inspired generations of young people to great achievements and helped change young lives for the better.”

“St. James’s Place’s partnership with the DofE is part of our wider work to help young people across the UK, whether through employment in our business or the work of our Charitable Foundation.”

There were over 950 hikers taking part in this year’s trek adventure and donations are still coming in, which means even more funds are being raised.

Just £60 could help a young person facing financial hardship access kit, transport or materials to do their DofE Award, and £100 could fund a front-line team member for a day – each team member positively impacts thousands of young lives each year – and £250 could fund the training of a DofE expedition volunteer, meaning young people can safely enjoy great outdoors experiences together.

Jonathan McMahon said: “The money raised by this year’s Adventure will go a long way to helping the DofE fulfil its mission.”

“We thank everyone who took part.”