All staff from Bladez Toyz will be taking part in a marathon in memory of their colleague Rachael Hughes who died last year.
Bladez employee Rachael Hughes passed away on 21st November after a sudden illness, aged 45. She was a keen runner, having represented Fareham Running Club and taken part in weekly parkruns. She completed her first ever marathon in October last year – the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC – and reached her goal of completing it under six hours. She ran the marathon with her husband Dave, who is also a keen runner. This particular marathon is well known for offering its runners a Fireball shot at mile 22, which is a tradition the Bladez team will be replicating at their marathon, at mile 22.
“Rachael was well known throughout the local running community as she was always offering encouragement and support to those around her,” said Sophie Cresswell, operations manager at Bladez Toyz. “Rach would be incredibly proud of us all for taking on this challenge – she would have been our number one cheerleader, and we absolutely know she will be watching over us throughout the day.”
All 14 members of the Bladez Toyz team are taking part in the event on Rachael’s birthday on 28th June, and they have extended the invitation to Rachael’s friends and family too.
Rachael’s co-workers saw her as far more than just a finance partner. Sophie told us: “She was everyone’s work mum, and the best cake baker too. She was brilliant at pulling the whole team together, boosting morale and always had time for everyone around her – which is why we wanted to do something as a team to celebrate her birthday.
“Rachael loved being part of the toy industry. As a mum to two lovely children, she was always keen to suggest ideas to the design team, as well as try the toys out… to give feedback, of course! Despite not being in a sales role, she set herself the challenge of completing her first sale when she visited London Toy Fair for the day. In true Rachael style, as someone who completed everything she put her mind to, she managed to secure a sale.”
The team had been brainstorming how to celebrate their late friend’s birthday, and it was CEO Iain Morgan who suggested walking a marathon. “It’s a great challenge, and setting the pace to walking rather than running meant that absolutely everyone in the team could get involved,” explained Sophie. “We’ve all upped our walking at the weekends and four of the team have started cycling to work each day to get their legs warmed up a bit.”
In honour of Rachael, Bladez Toyz has set up a Just Giving page to raise money for the Stroke Association.
Sophie concluded: “The event is set to be an emotional one, but we know how incredibly proud of the team Rach would be, and this is the driving force behind the event. Our motivation is to raise funds for charity and complete the marathon in Rach’s honour.”
