[T]o mark 140 years since Penrith based H&H Reeds Printers was established as a printing company, staff are to complete a 140 mile relay around Cumbria.
The event will be over 7 days between Monday 2nd and Tuesday 10th July. In total, 22 members of staff – 50% of the entire work force, will take part in a challenging route around Cumbria, covering mountains and terrains at all levels.
Starting at the company’s Penrith office, the route heads up to Carlisle, then through Borrowdale and Keswick, calling at H&H Reeds Printers in Milnthorpe, then onto Kendal and Ullswater before the final leg back to H&H Reeds Printers in Penrith. Organised as a relay, is begins with a 10 mile run and followed by a mixture of cycling, and walking.
In addition to marking a major milestone, the relay is also supporting Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity who are there right from the moment someone is diagnosed, through the treatment and beyond. With cancer affecting 1 in 2 of us in our lifetime, it is a cause close to so many people’s hearts. This charity offered tremendous care to one of the company’s longest serving members of staff, Malcolm Warwick, who passed away in 2006.
Announcing details, Andy Jackson, Managing Director of H&H Reeds Printers, who will be cycling on the first day, gives further background to this milestone and fundraising event: “We have had a really good response from staff who’ve put themselves forward for different sections of the route, which is great. Most will be walking but some will be running and some will be cycling. The plan is to cover 140 miles around Cumbria, also popping in to see those along the route who have supported us over the years, our clients, colleagues and sister companies.”
“Raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support was a natural choice and a joint staff decision. We felt it was a fitting way to highlight the company’s long history in Cumbria and to give something back to a charity which offered great support to Malcolm and his family”, says Andy.
Since founded in 1878, by George Reed, H&H Reeds Printers, has been based in Penrith supporting the local and wider business community with their print and promotional needs. George opened his stationery and printing shop at the corner of King Street and Langton Street and the retail shop continued to trade in King Street until the late 1990’s. At the turn of the century, the company moved their printing works to a former church in Rowcliffe Lane, then to their current home on Southend Road in 1995.
During the last 140 years, the business has evolved to meet an ever-changing market, introducing new technology and acquiring a signage and digital print company along the way. However, one thing which has not changed is the continuous commitment, customer care and support from all of the staff at H&H Reeds Printers.
With over 40 members of staff, H&H Reeds Printers are Cumbria’s largest print company and one of the most environmental printers in the UK. In the marking of their 140 year milestone, the 22 members of staff taking part in the challenge have between them over 200 years of service with the company. Looking forward to her part of the challenge, newest member of staff, Molly Blackburn said: “I have only been with the company for nine months; however, I can honestly say that I have been welcomed into the H&H Reeds family with open arms. I am part of a fantastic team, who are all passionate about the work we do, and I can truly understand why H&H Reeds Printers is such a well-known and respected Cumbrian business.
“The relay is a huge team effort, and it is with some trepidation that I am looking forward to completing my section, which is a nine and a half mile run from our Head Office, via the original King Street location to Hutton End.”
Malcolm who died aged 66, was one of three generations to have worked at H&H Reeds Printers. His step-father, Syd Thornton, was the Works Manager, and Malcom’s son, David Warwick, currently works in the plate room and is responsible for the company’s paper store.
To donate to Macmillian Cancer Support for Reeds Relay you can do so via their JustGiving page, at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hhreeds140
H&H Reeds Printers are Cumbria’s leading print company; one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly printing companies and a business which attracts worldwide contracts. Producing all types of print, from stationery to signage, brochures to exhibition boards, they continually striving to meet the needs of this ever- changing industry. For more details about H&H Reeds Printers, visit their website at: https://hhreedsprinters.co.uk/.
