The Children’s Walk is a longstanding tradition at Roche that brings employees together to raise money for local and global children’s charities. Year after year, colleagues gather at their local site to spend some time together, walk, and raise money for a good cause. 2020 was different.
At first, the plan was to postpone or even to cancel the Walk as to not put more pressure on colleagues helping to fight the pandemic by developing tests and medicines. And then one-by-one colleagues said that the walk had to happen.
Employees from 133 sites in 63 countries found creative ways to come together virtually to support children from all over the world who need our support more than ever. Here are some of the stories of how local leaders at Roche made the Children's Walk happen despite the odds.
Darlene Buhrow not only built a programme that kept the walk alive, but one that could be shared and used across Roche.
“With the COVID-19 restrictions, we shook off the sense of defeat and came to the decision that while an in-person Children’s Walk could not happen we could make the event virtual, encouraging employees to walk apart, but together in spirit.”
It makes me feel good to participate in the Roche Children’s Walk each year. It is the core of what we do in Roche.