A TEAM from the largest independent carpet retailer in the South West has completed a charity challenge that saw them carry a carpet for 10km.

The team of four from Carpet Giant, in Yate, carried the carpet through the towns of Yate and Chipping Sodbury to raise money for the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank.

The feat was undertaken as part of celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the successful carpet company.

The carpet was carried in relay, leaving the store in Beeches Industrial Estate at 10am on Thursday, August 28, winding its way up Station Road in Yate, passing the foodbank itself before going through Chipping Sodbury high street and returning to the store.

Managing director of Carpet Giant James Price said, “The ten years that we’ve been in Yate have been great for us and we really wanted to do something that would help contribute to the wider community and offer some support in return for the support that we ourselves have received from local residents over the years.

“The decision to carry a carpet for 10km signified a kilometre covered for every year of trading, whilst supporting the Foodbank was an easy choice. The work that they do often goes unsung. People simply don’t realise the scale of the help that they offer.

“Some people find themselves down on their luck through no fault of their own and the food bank offers them breathing space to help them get back on their feet. It’s a really worthwhile cause and we’re proud to have helped in our own small way.”

Bob Vernon of the Yate and Chipping Sodbury Foodbank was thrilled to receive the support.

He said: “It was fantastic to see the team from Carpet Giant drop in on their way past. They really went to town for the occasion, including specially made t-shirts and balloons and were certainly a sight to see on the road.

“We’re always grateful for whatever help people can provide the Foodbank and the money that the team from Carpet Giant have raised will go a long way to helping those most in need.”

The wider Trussell Trust Foodbank system works where individuals and local businesses and organisations donate non-perishable, in-date food to the food bank, which is in turn donated to those in need.

The group are still receiving donations for the event, but have so far raised £350.

To donate to the Carpet Giant cause, visit their Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/CarpetGiant or go directly to the Foodbank itself to donate, which is located at The Candle, in Station Road, Yate and is open on Tuesdays between 2 and 4pm and Fridays between 10 and 12 noon.