Auckland business puts in a marathon effort for multiple sclerosis

Auckland-based IT distribution company exeed is aiming to raise at least $5000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand (MSNZ) by entering 30 of its staff in the Auckland Half Marathon on 30 October. Exeed staff wanted to help in some way after the wife of a long-standing colleague, Account Manager Simon Bell-Booth, was diagnosed with MS earlier this year.

As the team began to think of ways they could help, Simon came up with a fundraising target figure of $5000 and agreed to enter the race himself if this amount is reached.

“My wife and I are truly humbled by the support shown by exeed and its staff,” says Simon. “It is testament to the great people who work within this organisation.”

Exeed’s Managing Director Justin Tye says that the firm normally has five or six staff who enter the marathon each year, and he is amazed by the number of people inside the business that have signed up. “Training for a marathon requires substantial commitment and effort, and many people who’ve signed up have never done anything like this before,” says Justin.

“I’m really thrilled with the way the team have rallied around. The support for Simon and his wife is testimony to how much the team both appreciates the work that he does and wants to help the couple.”

Justin himself is entering and is really happy that members of his team are achieving increased fitness as a by-product of their fundraising dedication.

Exeed’s efforts are also being supported by HP staff. Exeed is a distributor for HP in New Zealand, and six of its staff members have also signed up for the half marathon.

A fundraising page has been set up at Everyday Hero at https://aucklandmarathon2016.everydayhero.com/nz/team-exeed- fundrasing-for-
multiple-sclerosis- nz .

There are more than 4,000 people in New Zealand with multiple sclerosis, a disorder of the central nervous system that includes the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand, which will benefit from exeed’s fundraising efforts, is a non-profit organisation formed to provide ongoing support, education and advocacy for people with multiple sclerosis and their support networks.

“Thanks to fundraisers like exeed’s, MSNZ is able to continue to advocate for better access to treatments, resources and services to improve the well-being and quality of life of New Zealander’s affected by MS,” says MSNZ President Malcolm Rickerby.

“As a non-profit organisation that has to find funding to sustain 90% of our annual income, we are extremely grateful for this support.”

ENDS

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