Penguins, the Windsor-based event agency is continuing its long-running support of local charity Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, which is raising £5m to build Berkshire’s first children’s hospice.

Penguins’ Chris Stallwood, has set himself a series of tough challenges to complete during 2014, taking part in over 500km of endurance activities including swimming, cycling, sailing and kayaking to support the Berkshire-based charity.

Aside from the charity challenges, Penguins have supported the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service’s annual Heaven Sent Ball, as well as Sir Michael Parkinson’s annual Celebrity Cabaret, by generously covering all the production costs. This year’s 6th Heaven Sent Ball is set to be another spectacular evening being held in the stunning surroundings of The Harte and Garter Hotel, opposite Windsor Castle on Saturday 10 May.

Kicking off his challenges for 2014, Chris set himself the target of swimming 2500 metres in under 1 hour at Windsor Leisure Centre, which he completed in 57 minutes. His sights are now set on the 100km Surrey Hills Cyclone Sportive cycle race, with over 1500m of hill climbs.

In April as part of a two man team, Chris will kayak over 200km in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, and get down and dirty in the South London Tough Mudder challenge in Winchester, a 20km military-style obstacle course described as probably the toughest event on the planet.

Roping in his colleagues at Penguins, Chris and the team will hike a combined total of over 1300km in the Race to the Stones ultra marathon, along the Chilterns Ridgeway, the oldest path in Britain, raising money for charity.
During the rest of the year Chris plans to sail the grueling 12 hour Round the Island Race, mountain bike all 200km of the South Downs Way, run the Maidenhead Half Marathon and complete in a triathlon at Dorney Lake.

As well as all the sporting events, Chris has also decided to grow a full beard for 365 days! He is keeping a ‘beard diary’ taking regular photos of his facial hair and posting them on Facebook and Twitter @beard_365.

Mark Buist, Managing Director, Penguins said: “At Penguins we’ve long been a supporter of Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service providing technical and staging support for their annual events. I was very pleased when Chris announced his challenges, although I dread to think how he his beard will look by December! As it’s all for a fantastic cause we are obviously behind him every step of the way, as well as putting our best foot forward for the Race to the Stones.”

Maidenhead–based Chris Stallwood, Facilities Manager, Penguins said: “When Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service announced they are raising money to build Berkshire’s first children’s hospice, I knew 2014 was the year to support them. What better way than to sign up to an event each month whilst growing my beard for the year!”

To make a donation visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/beard365

Fiona Devine, CEO and Co-Founder, Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service said: “Chris and Penguins have been great supporters of the charity for a number of years and it’s lovely to see Chris take on such a personal effort on our behalf. We wish him every success. I went to Windsor Leisure Centre to see Chris start his swim and I know that Chris really appreciated all the support. It’s one of the lovely benefits of Alexander’s legacy that people who come to support us have turned in to real friends.”