Roche hails success of 2014 Children’s Walk

Roche has hailed the success of its 11th Children's Walk event, which is held yearly to raise funds for children in need.

More than 132,000 walking employees at more than 120 company sites around the world have participated in the event over the years, with the 2014 edition having taken place on June 16th.

Working in partnership with the European Coalition of Positive People and UNICEF Switzerland, the firm provides donations to support day-care centres for orphans and educational initiatives in Malawi, as well as children's charities in their own countries.

Roche assumes all walk and funding administrative expenses, meaning no donations are spent on bureaucracy or fundraising costs. A representative group of employees who led the fundraising will be given a chance to travel to Malawi to see how the funds are used first hand.

Severin Schwan, chief executive officer of Roche, said: "Thanks to the continued support of our employees, we have been able to touch and improve the lives of many children who are in need and have to rely on the assistance of others."

During the first quarter of the year, the company generated sales of 11.5 billion Swiss francs (7.54 billion pounds), representing a year-on-year increase of five percent.