The first national “Wear Your Trainers at Work” day in Luxembourg took place on Friday 10 June 2016. The operation mobilised around twenty companies, and nearly 3,000 employees walked for ELA in their trainers. A fine, promising success for this first edition. The goal of the day was clear to everyone: 1 step = 1 euro cent. With a pedometer on their belt or equipped with their smartphone, employees did their best to rack up as many steps as possible and so support ELA’s fight against leukodystrophies. The summery weather boosted all the participants, who gave it everything.
Everyone has their own way
While for some, lifts and emails were banned for the day, others used their lunch break to enjoy their favourite physical activity (walking, jogging or cycling). For everyone, the important thing was to see the step count rise on their pedometer or smartphone screen.
At PwC, the company’s lobby was decked out in ELA’s colours. At the centre, the information stand on leukodystrophies run by ELA and the teams of Valérie Arnold (Partner, Impact Investing leader) was never empty. You could also buy ELA products there, and raffle tickets to win a magnificent Cristiano Ronaldo shirt signed by several Real Madrid players. It was also an opportunity to meet and greet John Parkhouse (Managing Director of PwC Luxembourg).
Dimension Data had chosen to mobilise the whole West Side Village in Capellen. Thanks to the dynamism of Christophe Lambot (Finance Director of Dimension Data) and Nicolas Lentgen (Marketing Coordinator at Dimension Data), and in the presence of Olivier Posty (Operations Director of Dimension Data), a variety of sports activities were offered to employees over lunchtime: fitness, ultimate frisbee, running, parkour and cycling, led by professionals in each discipline. Not forgetting the inevitable barbecue with a DJ. Whatever method they chose, everyone played along and got moving for ELA.
Sandrine Quétier and Jeff Strasser in Luxembourg for the day
For this first edition in Luxembourg, Guy Alba, President of ELA International, and Jean-Luc Corti, Secretary General of ELA International, accompanied by Sandrine Quétier, TF1 presenter and honorary member of ELA, and Jeff Strasser, coach of Fola Esch and ELA Luxembourg ambassador, were able to gauge the employees’ enthusiasm. Present at PwC and at the Capellen site, they were able to talk with employees about their commitment alongside ELA and the families.
A big thank you to the companies that took part in this first national day in Luxembourg:
• Advanzia Bank • ALD Automotive • Atoz • CTG • Dimension Data • EBRC • Factory 4 • Finexis • Leaseplan • Hôpitaux Robert Schuman • Luther S.A. • PwC • Renault Retail Group • SD Worx • Vanksen • 42 Consulting