Orange Day is about making a difference in the community where we live and work. To this point a number of IT employees are giving up their time and lots of energy to take part in the 2009 Monster Challenge! GSK is providing support through the use of an Orange Day and all participants are self funding the event.

Four teams have been entered thus far with members from across C&ES, SCS, EUS IT and GMS IT. The event consists of teams of four negotiating a 120K route around the shores and mountains of the famous LochNess on 12th September starting and finishing in Inverness.

Goblin Pigs Barmy Army - Jason Lee, John Harris, Dave Reid, Jamie Payne

Team Cosmopolitan - Giovanni Retana, Leigh Pedersen, Clare Hickie, Shaun Joslin

What's that coming over the hill.... - Jonathan Mayne, Alex Lombardo, Alec Dyer, Alastair Robertson

Should Be No Problem - William Hayes, Dino Laudato, Richard Haley, Simon Phillipson

...and once again we will enjoy the services of team coach, motivator and manager (aka The Monster) - Damian Waite.

This year the teams will be focusing on raising funds for a national charity (Multiple Sclerosis) and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Both have strong, local connections to the teams. In addition to contributing to these charitible organisations this is a great opportunity for team building and motivation and is ultimately a very rewarding experience for all involved.

This page is if you would like to donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Society... our other page is here.... http://www.justgiving.com/gskmonster-GOSH where you can donate to Great Ormand Street Hospital.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. Around 100,000 people in the UK have MS. MS is the result of damage to myelin - a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life unpredictable.

MS has had a personal impact on Alastair and his family as his Mum was diagnosed with the progressive form of the disease in 2007. Since then her mobility has been severely impacted but she is a fighter and continues to impress everyone with her courage and determination. Alastair's father and mother live in Inverness and they will be coming along to cheer on all the GSK teams!

The MS Society funds MS research, runs respite care centres, provides grants (financial assistance), education and training on MS. It produces numerous publications on MS and runs a freephone specialist Helpline.