Staff Run Spartan Race 2018 for Sumatran Orangutans

After last year’s Spartan Race success that saw us run in support of the Bromley-by-Bow Centre, Bywaters’ staff have once again been putting themselves through their paces – this time raising money for the conservation of Sumatra’s critically endangered orangutans.

Sumatra’s Shrinking Rainforests Leave Orangutans in Danger

The relentless destruction of Sumatra’s rainforests has pushed the Sumatran Orangutan to the edge of extinction. With only 14,613 remaining in the wild according to the WWF, this species is now classified as ‘Critically Endangered.’

The Sumatran orangutan relies on forests, but the forests of Sumatra are under immense and mounting threat. They are being torn down for farmlands, logging, mining, and roads. International demand for products including palm oil and timber, combined with weak forest governance and short-sighted land-use policies are driving deforestation at an alarming rate.

To help tackle this problem head on, some of Bywaters staff competed in the Spartan Race, held at Rapley Farm, Bagshot Berkshire on 7^th October 2018.

A Gruelling Challenge for Our Staff

Our team were pushed to their limits as they ran through mud and water, crawled under barbed wire, and jumped over fire pits to raise funds for the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). It was a brutal and rewarding day for the team, as they completed the Spartan Race raising a healthy £250 through our fundraising page.

A spokesman from Bywaters said:

“Orangutan populations are left fragmented and isolated as roads and plantations divide up the forest. This makes them easy targets for poaching for the illegal pet trade, and causes conflict with local communities when the stranded and starving apes are forced to resort to raiding crops. However, it’s not too late to help by donating through our fundraising page. Remember the link to the donations page can be shared physically through your business card code.”

Bywaters’ Ethos

We would like to congratulate our team for taking on this tremendous challenge and for all their training leading up to the event. As a company we always strive to make a real impact, especially on matters related to sustainability and the world’s environment, and it’s fantastic to see these efforts reflected personally in our staff.

To find out more about the plight of Sumatra’s orangutans, and to donate money to help save the species, visit the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS).