Our annual Shorade staff party is always a highlight of the year – a chance to bring together the team, our partners, and friends to celebrate the collective hard work across our four UK facilities. However, this year’s event carried a deeper significance.
With 125 guests in attendance, the evening wasn’t just about celebration; it was about community and contribution. We are thrilled to announce that through a high-energy raffle held on the night, we managed to raise an incredible £2,000 for our chosen charity of the year, DEBRA UK.
A Cause Close to Our Hearts
DEBRA UK is a national charity that supports individuals living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)—a painful genetic skin blistering condition also known as ‘butterfly skin.’ For the team at Shorade, selecting DEBRA as our 2026 charitable partner was a decision rooted in the profound impact of their work.
Managing Director Jon Biggins explains: “DEBRA UK is a widely respected charity within our industry, the videos that we have seen at partner events are extremely impactive, and the people we have met (both sufferers and those that care for them) are truly unbelievable people. That’s why we picked them as our charity of choice this year.”
DEBRA UK: The Mission Continues
While the £2,000 raised at the party is a fantastic milestone, our commitment to DEBRA UK is a year-long marathon. To drive our fundraising even further, Jon has committed to three grueling physical challenges across the year:
- Chase the Sun (June 2026): A punishing 205-mile bike ride from Minster on Sea, Kent, to Weston-Super-Mare. Jon will be racing against the clock to cross the finish line before the sun sets on the longest day of the year.
- The National Three Peaks Challenge (September 2026): Moving from the road to the mountains, Jon will attempt to summit the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike), and Wales (Snowdon) all within a 24-hour window.
- The 1 Million Metre Row (Ongoing to Dec 31st, 2026): Jon is also tackling the Concept 2 rower daily. His goal is to hit a cumulative distance of 1 million metres by the end of the year.
Building Hope Together
At Shorade, we believe in excellence – whether that’s in the precision of our prestige vehicle repairs or the impact we have on the world around us. The funds raised during our annual party will go directly toward life-changing care and vital research into effective treatments for EB.
We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who attended the party and bought a raffle ticket. Your generosity has provided a brilliant head-start for a charity which means a lot to us, and which we are delighted to bring into the spotlight in 2026.
Want to support Jon’s journey? Keep an eye on our social media channels for training updates, “behind the scenes” footage of Jon on the rower, and links to donate directly to our DEBRA UK fundraising page.
