ABRACS TEAM TAKES ON FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE FOR OXFAM TRAILTREKKER

Four determined staff members from York-based abrasives supplier Abracs are preparing to hit some of the UK's toughest hiking trails for charity.

In August, Team Abracs will take on Oxfam's Trailtrekker 2015 challenge covering a 100km course through the Yorkshire Dales that climbs more than Ben Nevis and Snowdon put together in just 30 hours.

Abracs managing director Robert "Bear" Jeffery and team mates Gareth "Mountain Goat" Waters, Alex "Forrest" Gowans and Damian "Mears" Gibson started training for the gruelling challenge earlier this year. They have set up individual JustGiving pages to encourage friends and family to support their fundraising efforts.

In addition, Abracs is contributing 5 per cent from every sale of promotional diamond blade packs to the fundraising total.

"The team has been working really hard preparing for the event, which will be tough for all of us," said Robert Jeffery. "We're all keeping an eye on the fundraising total and hoping we can attract enough support to make all our blisters and aching muscles worthwhile and raise a few thousand pounds for this very worthwhile charity!"

Oxfam Trailtrekker is just one of 16 trails which take place in 11 different countries. They go through some spectacular locations including the mountains of Barcelona, rugged Australian bush and through a volcanically active national park in Japan that finishes at the foot of Mt Fuji. Since it began in 1981, thousands of walkers around the world have successfully taken on the challenge. In 2012 over 22,000 people collectively walked over 2.2 million kilometers and raised over $18 million US.

Oxfam GB - 100km Events marketing manager Louise Gebbett said: "'It's fantastic that Abracs are supporting their staff in their 100km Trailtrekker challenge. The money raised will not only support their staff taking on the challenge, by will improve the lives of those most in need around the world, through Oxfam's humanitarian and emergency relief projects. We wish Abracs the best of luck - and look forward to seeing Team Abracs on the start line in August."

For more information about Team Abracs' Oxfam Trailertrekker Challenge, please visit www.facebook.com/abracstrailtrekker or https://www.facebook.com/events/463758240436040/.

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Notes for Editors

Abracs supplies abrasives and accessories to wholesale distribution channels serving industry sectors including metal fabrication, engineering, construction, hire, automotive, aerospace, nuclear, offshore and rail. Established in 1989, the £5m turnover business has a 25-strong workforce and recognition and approvals from various governing bodies including the Organisation for the Safety of Abrasives (OSA), Link Up and ISO accreditation, as well being active members of the British Abrasives Federation (BAF).