SMTC staff based at the MG Longbridge site are taking part in the Great Birmingham Run in the hope of raising £7k.

This Sunday (16 October), 15 team members from the SAIC Motor Technical Centre (SMTC UK) – which is based at the MG Motor site in Longbridge – will take part in the Great Birmingham Run, with the target of raising £7,000 for charity.  

The staff, from across technical, electrical engineering, design, project management and supporting functions, will tackle the 13-mile course in memory of former colleague Brian Freeman, who lost his battle with cancer in 2014, as well as friends and family members also affected.

Following the event, the funds raised will be presented to Macmillan Cancer Support – the leading UK charity which provides information, advice and support to those suffering from cancer and their families.

Richard McAlister, Vice Director – Electrical Engineering at SMTC UK, commented: “With more than 20,000 runners taking to the streets, we thought that taking part in the Great Birmingham Run would be an excellent opportunity to bond as a team and raise funds for a hugely worthwhile charity.

“This is the second year in a row that we’ve taken part in the half marathon, while other staff have taken part in a number of other events in aid of charity – including the Ridgeway40 Walk and Vehicles of Interest Day. Last year, we collectively raised more than £6,000, so wanted to go even further for 2016 and set a target of £7,000.

“We hope the funds raised will help Macmillan to continue its fantastic work across the UK – providing advice and support to thousands of cancer sufferers and their families every year.”

Last month, staff from SMTC UK and MG Motor took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning – also in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Collectively, the teams raised more than £372.

As an integral part of SAIC Motor Corporation Limited – the parent company of MG Motor – SMTC is responsible for key phases of the engineering, research, design and development programmes for all new MG products worldwide. With operations based at the MG site in Longbridge, Birmingham, the centre is widely renowned as a hub of automotive excellence.