Representatives will raise money for Habitat for Humanity by running the world’s most northerly marathon
DUBLIN, IRELAND – February 16, 2015 – Hibernia Networks, a provider of global telecommunications services, and Ciena®, a leading networking and software provider, announce that a team member from each company will run the UVU North Pole Marathon taking place on April 9, 2015 at the geographic North Pole. Gary Seery, IT Director at Hibernia Networks, and David van de Wetering, Account Manager of Ciena, will complete the 26.2-mile race to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.
The marathon takes place in one of the most remote locations on the planet, requiring runners to complete the race in temperatures as low as -25º C (-13º F). The extreme conditions require extensive preparation, special gear and unique training techniques, with some competitors choosing to train in industrial freezers. To date, only 350 individuals from 40 nations have completed the race.
Hibernia and Ciena will work together to support Mr. Seery and Mr. van de Wetering and to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. Funds raised for the North Pole Home Run will be used to build homes worldwide and provide stable housing in impoverished communities.
“It’s an honor to run on behalf of Hibernia and to raise funds for those in need,” says Gary Seery, IT Director at Hibernia Networks. “The partnership between David and me is a natural extension of our companies’ relationship. I’m looking forward to taking this 26.2-mile journey in the Artic with a trusted colleague.”
“We are experiencing a global housing crisis and wanted to show our support and lend a hand,” says van de Wetering, Account Manager of Ciena. “Stable housing provides more than just a roof over someone’s head. It is possible to actually change someone’s life.”
Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 1 million families — representing 5 million people — improve their living conditions through Habitat’s housing since the organization was founded in 1976. For more information about the organization, visit habitat.org.
Hibernia and Ciena’s joint effort is an extension of the existing partnership between the two global companies. Hibernia recently upgraded its trans-Atlantic subsea cable with Ciena’s GeoMesh submarine solution, including the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform, WaveLogic coherent optics and full ROADM. Hibernia joined Ciena’s BizConnect Partner Program in the spring of 2014.
To learn more about this fundraising partnership and to donate, please visit 26.2northpole.com. Follow us on twitter @nphomerun.
