Posts Tagged ‘Eco’

Green Printing Revolution at Purely Digital

Tuesday, September 12th, 2023

At Purely Digital, we’re leading the charge in transforming the printing industry with sustainable practices. Owner Andy’s passion for eco-friendly technologies has propelled us to offer greener and more efficient printing solutions. Become a sustainable business thanks to green printing services from Purely Digital. We’re here to help you grow your business. Here’s how we’re making a difference at Team Purely.

At Purely Digital, we’ve embraced sustainable printing machines for various reasons. Please read on to see them below.

Environmental Benefits

Our machines use less energy, produce minimal waste, and utilise eco-friendly inks, contributing to a healthier planet.

Cost Savings

Not only is the Purely Digital team eco-conscious, but these machines are also cost-efficient, leading to lower bills and reduced operational costs.

Enhanced Productivity

Designed for reliability, our machines minimise downtime and the need for maintenance, ensuring a smooth workflow.

Healthier Work Environment

Our sustainable printing machines promote better indoor air quality with fewer harmful emissions, benefitting our team and clients.

Positive Reputation for Your Brand

By choosing sustainable printing, companies enjoy several advantages. Here are some more reasons to become a sustainable business thanks to green printing services from Purely Digital.

Consumer Demand

Meeting the rising demand for eco-friendly products and services positions companies as responsible and attuned to consumer values.

Reputation and Brand Image

Collaborating with eco-friendly businesses, like Purely Digital, enhances a company’s reputation and brand image.

Cost Savings and Compliance

Savings from efficient practices and compliance with environmental regulations contribute to a responsible business model.

Competitive Advantage

In a competitive market, eco-friendly businesses attract environmentally conscious consumers, providing a competitive edge.

Diverse Printing Press Machines at Purely Digital

Our arsenal of printing press machines caters to diverse needs:

  • Offset Lithography: Ideal for high-volume printing.
  • Digital Printing: Quick and customisable for short-run jobs.
  • Flexography: Suited for various substrates, especially packaging materials.
  • Screen Printing: Excellent for bold graphic designs.
  • Gravure: Known for high-quality image reproduction.

The Art of Crafting Scratch Cards

Ever wondered how scratch cards are made? Here’s a glimpse into the process:

  • Design: Meticulous planning determines the card’s size, layout, and elements.
  • Printing: Various methods transfer the design onto suitable materials.
  • Lamination: Cards undergo lamination for enhanced durability.
  • Scratch-Off Layer: A specialised machine applies the iconic scratch-off layer.
  • Personalisation: High-speed or digital presses add unique information.
  • Quality Control: Rigorous checks ensure each card meets the highest standards.
  • Packaging: The final step involves secure packaging for delivery.

Printing Machines and Environmental Friendliness

Yes, printing machines can be eco-friendly, and at Purely Digital, we’re leading the way by:

  • Energy Efficiency: Using renewable energy sources to reduce our carbon footprint.
  • Recyclable Materials: Constructing machines from recyclable materials to minimise waste.
  • Water Conservation: Designing devices that use less water during the printing process.
  • Chemical Reduction: Implementing measures to reduce the use of toxic chemicals.
  • Digital Printing: Embracing energy-efficient digital printing technology.

While achieving complete environmental friendliness is a journey, Purely Digital is committed to minimising our environmental impact through continuous improvement and innovation.

Contact Purely Digital for Sustainable Printing Solutions

Explore the world of sustainable printing with Purely Digital. Whether you’re in London or the East Midlands, our services are available throughout the UK. Contact us at 01332 299553 or fill out our contact form to discuss how Purely Digital can meet your printing needs responsibly and efficiently. Choose Purely Digital for a greener, more sustainable future in printing.

Navigating Sustainable Printing Practices for Business Excellence

Wednesday, July 12th, 2023

To stand out above your competitors, increasing enterprises are redirecting their focus towards sustainable practices to minimise their environmental footprint. This paradigm shift includes adopting eco-friendly printing methods and aligning corporate values with a commitment to environmental stewardship. Below, we explain how you can navigate and build a company with sustainable printing practices.

Technological advancements have helped with sustainable printing practices

Technological advancements have paved the way for print suppliers to deliver high-quality, sustainable printed materials that meet industry standards and contribute significantly to a greener future. To assist businesses in showcasing their commitment to sustainability, here is an in-depth exploration of five cutting-edge sustainable printing methods tailored for a business-to-business audience.

LED UV Printing: Merging Aesthetics with Environmental Responsibility

LED UV printing is ideal for creating impactful brochures, booklets, and promotional materials. By utilising ultraviolet light for an instantaneous drying process, this technique not only enhances colour vibrancy and sharpens designs but also leaves a lasting impression on the audience. 

Beyond its aesthetic benefits, LED UV printing stands out as an environmentally conscious choice. Its energy efficiency, reduced standby consumption between jobs, and elimination of the need for anti-set-off powder or sealing coats make it a green printing solution that aligns with the sustainability goals of businesses.

Recycled Paper Choices: Navigating the Paper Sustainability Spectrum

The sustainability of a printing method is intricately linked with the paper or stock chosen. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, exclusively using recycled paper may not be the only eco-friendly option. 

Considering the importance of virgin fibres in sustaining the paper cycle, businesses can make informed choices by ensuring that these fibres come from sustainably managed forests. This nuanced understanding empowers enterprises to navigate the paper sustainability spectrum, embracing both virgin and recycled paper as environmentally responsible choices.

Digital Printing: Efficiency Redefined for Sustainable Solutions

Digital printing, without a printing plate, revolutionises the printing landscape by generating significantly less waste than traditional methods. Particularly advantageous for smaller print runs, digital printing reduces environmental impact and enhances operational efficiency. With machines capable of completing up to 4,800 sheets per hour, digital printing emerges as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for businesses with varied printing needs.

Carbon Balanced Paper and Print: Comprehensive Sustainability Beyond the Print Job

Choosing carbon-balanced paper signifies a commitment to offset the carbon footprint generated during paper production and mill delivery. Taking a step further, carbon-balanced printers measure and offset the carbon emissions of their entire operation. 

Investing in measures to reduce or reverse carbon outputs exemplifies this commitment to comprehensive sustainability, resulting in a more environmentally friendly print process. Businesses can quickly identify this commitment through the recognisable Carbon Balanced Print logo, ensuring their print choices contribute to a greener world.

Uncoated Paper: Innovation, Recyclability, and Visual Appeal

Uncoated paper, when harnessed with LED UV presses, delivers impressive visual results and contributes to recyclability. Its natural feel enhances the tactile experience of printed materials, making it a preferred choice for businesses aiming to create a distinctive impression. 

Being lighter than coated paper varieties, uncoated paper is widely accepted by mills for recycling. It is easy to transport, making it an innovative and eco-friendly option for businesses prioritising sustainability.

A Sustainable Printing Checklist is a comprehensive guide for businesses seeking professional print services committed to eco-friendly practices. This checklist empowers firms to assess potential print suppliers based on their printing methods, stock types, and daily operational procedures, such as energy usage and recycling success. 

Sustainable Printing Practices – A checklist

By obtaining a copy of the checklist, businesses can make informed decisions about partnering with a truly green printer, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.

Get in touch with Purely Digital to learn more about our sustainable printing practices and services. We’ll be able to help your brand build an eco and sustainable business model whilst also enhancing your business growth.

What are the benefits of using a sustainable printing machine?

Sunday, February 12th, 2023
Sustainable Printing Machine used by Purely Digital

There are several benefits of a sustainable printing machine, all of which have been analysed by Purely Digital. Having noted the benefits of using such a machine, our owner Andy could not stop talking about why using a far more environmentally-friendly printing press would benefit us and our clients. Take a look below at why we can offer such a better service at Purely Digital for companies. We will discuss how we have become more environmentally friendly and cost efficient, including:

  1. Environmental Benefits: Sustainable printing machines use less energy and produce less waste, reducing their environmental impact. They also often use environmentally friendly inks and toners, which are non-toxic and biodegradable.
  2. Cost Savings: Sustainable printing machines are often more energy-efficient. This can result in lower electricity bills and lower costs over time. Additionally, they can reduce the cost of paper and other supplies, as they use less ink and toner.
  3. Improved Productivity: Sustainable printing machines are often designed to be more reliable and efficient. Subsequently, this improves productivity by reducing downtime and the need for maintenance.
  4. Better Health: Sustainable printing machines emit fewer harmful chemicals, which can improve indoor air quality and the health of people who work around them.
  5. Positive Reputation: Using sustainable printing machines can improve a company’s reputation and brand image. This demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Overall, sustainable printing machines can provide various benefits, from reducing costs and productivity to improving health and the environment and enhancing a company’s reputation.

Why do companies prefer to work with environmentally friendly businesses?

Companies prefer to work with businesses that are environmentally friendly for several reasons:

  1. Consumer Demand: Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase and the companies they support. Companies can appeal to consumers looking for sustainable products and services by working with environmentally friendly businesses.
  2. Reputation and Brand Image: Working with environmentally friendly businesses can improve a company’s reputation and brand image. It demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, which can be appealing to consumers and other stakeholders.
  3. Cost Savings: Working with environmentally friendly businesses can also result in cost savings. For example, companies can save money by using environmentally friendly products and services that are more energy-efficient and have a lower environmental impact.
  4. Compliance with Regulations: In many industries, there are regulations in place that require companies to minimise their environmental impact. By working with environmentally friendly businesses, companies can ensure they are in compliance with these regulations.
  5. Competitive Advantage: Companies that work with environmentally friendly businesses can gain a competitive advantage over their peers. This can help them attract new customers and retain existing ones, as consumers are increasingly looking for environmentally responsible companies.

Overall, working with environmentally friendly businesses can provide several benefits to companies, including improved reputation and brand image, cost savings, compliance with regulations, and competitive advantage.

What are the benefits of a sustainable printing press machine?

A printing press machine is a mechanical device that transfers ink from a plate to a piece of paper or another printing substrate. The process of printing with a press machine typically involves creating a printing plate, which is a flat surface with the design or text to be printed etched into it. The plate is then inked, and the ink is transferred to the printing substrate under pressure.

Several printing press machines include offset lithography, letterpress, gravure, and screen printing. Each type of press machine is suited to different printing applications and uses various techniques to transfer ink to the printing substrate.

Printing press machines have been used for hundreds of years and are still widely used today, especially in the commercial printing industry. They are essential for producing high-quality printed materials, such as books, newspapers, magazines, packaging, and promotional materials. With the advent of digital printing technology, the role of traditional printing press machines has evolved, but they continue to be an essential part of the printing industry.

What sort of printing press machines do printing companies use?

Printing companies use a variety of printing press machines, depending on the type of printing job and the materials being printed. Some of the most common types of printing press machines used by printing companies include:

  1. Offset Lithography: Offset lithography is a popular printing method that uses a flat plate to transfer ink to a printing substrate. It is commonly used for printing large quantities of materials, such as books, magazines, and newspapers.
  2. Digital Printing: Digital printing uses computer-controlled printers to produce high-quality prints directly from digital files. It is well-suited for short-run jobs, such as business cards or brochures, and allows for quick and easy customisation of each printed piece.
  3. Flexography: Flexography is a form of relief printing that uses flexible plates to transfer ink to various printing substrates, including paper, plastic, and metal. It is commonly used for printing packaging materials, such as bags, boxes, and labels.
  4. Screen Printing: Screen printing is a stencil-based method that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink to a printing substrate. It is commonly used for printing t-shirts, posters, and other items with bold graphic designs.
  5. Gravure: Gravure is an intaglio printing method that uses etched copper or steel cylinders to transfer ink to a printing substrate. It is commonly used for printing high-quality images, such as photographs, and is often used for printing magazines and packaging materials.

These are just a few printing press machines used by printing companies. The type of press machine a company uses will depend on several factors, including the printing job, the printed materials, and the quality and quantity of prints required.

How do printers make scratchcards?

Scratch cards are typically produced by printing companies using a combination of printing press machines and specialised finishing equipment. The process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Design: The first step in producing scratch cards is to create a plan. This includes determining the size and layout of the card, as well as any images, text, and graphics to be included.
  2. Printing: Once the design is finalised, the printing process begins. The design is typically printed onto a paper or plastic stock appropriate for scratch card production. This can be done using various printing methods, such as offset lithography, digital printing, or flexography.
  3. Lamination: After the cards are printed, they are usually laminated with a protective film to make them more durable and resistant to wear and tear.
  4. Scratch-Off Layer: The next step is to apply a scratch-off layer to the cards. This is typically done using a specialised machine that applies a thin, opaque coating to the cards. This coating can be scratched off to reveal the information underneath.
  5. Personalisation: Once the scratch-off layer is applied, the cards can be personalised with unique information, such as numbers, codes, or prizes. This is typically done using a high-speed or digital printing press.
  6. Quality Control: After the cards are personalised, they undergo a quality control process to ensure they are free of defects and meet the required standards.
  7. Packaging: Finally, the cards are packaged and shipped to the customer.

Overall, the production of scratch cards involves several steps. These include design, printing, lamination, application of the scratch-off layer, personalisation, quality control, and packaging. In addition, printing companies use specialised equipment and techniques to ensure that each card is produced to the highest standards. This meets the customer’s specific requirements for business cards and scratchcards.

Can printing machines ever be environmentally friendly?

Yes, printing machines can be environmentally friendly, and many printing companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. Here are some ways that printing machines can be made more environmentally friendly:

  1. Energy Efficiency: Many printing machines are designed to be energy efficient, using less energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Some printing companies use renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to reduce their carbon footprint.

  2. Recyclable Materials: Many printing machines are constructed from recyclable materials, reducing waste generated during production and helping to conserve resources.
  3. Water Conservation: Some printing machines are designed to use less water during the printing process. The idea is to reduce the amount of water consumed and helping to conserve this precious resource.
  4. Chemical Reduction: Many printing companies are taking steps to reduce the use of toxic chemicals in the printing process. This includes using eco-friendly inks and coatings and reducing the amount of waste generated by the printing process.
  5. Digital Printing: Digital printing is becoming increasingly popular as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional printing methods. Digital printing uses less energy and generates less waste, as there is no need for plates or film. Printing only the exact quantity of materials required is possible, reducing waste.

While no printing process is entirely environmentally friendly, companies are reducing their impact and making their operations more sustainable. By using energy-efficient machines, recycled materials, and eco-friendly inks and coatings, printing companies can help minimise their environmental impact.

Contact Purely Digital about the benefits of a sustainable printing machine

We hope you have enjoyed reading our article on the benefits of a sustainable printing machine. We would love for you to contact Purely Digital for all your printing needs. Purely Digital are available all over the UK, serving clients in London and the East Midlands. If you need to get in touch with us or other team members, feel free to call us on 01332 299553 or fill out our contact form.

5 reasons why Purely Digital are committed to sustainable printing

Monday, August 8th, 2022

Purely Digital have always believed in sustainable printing from the outset. Our owner Andy has been a big believer in finding ways to help save the environment and climate since the inception of our company. There are plenty of reasons why he believes in this cause, which we will go into below. But as always, actions speak louder than words, and that’s why Purely Digital ensure we practice what we preach. Here are 5 reasons why this corporate printing company is committed to sustainable printing.

1)    We can help create more woodland – thus saving the environment

Since 2013, we’ve been actively planting new trees across the UK as part of the Premier Paper Group’s Carbon Capture® scheme. So, even though we are using (recycling-friendly) paper and packaging for our Direct Mail and scratchcard campaigns, we are also replacing what we use. 2779.14㎡ is the area of the new native woodland we have created since we started our environmentally friendly campaigns. We are dedicated to doing good for our planet.

Basically, thanks to our sustainable printing processes led by Andy, we can help to save the environment and provide a better future for our children.

2) We can inspire others to be sustainable through sustainable printing

If a printing company can be sustainable, why can’t others? We choose our materials to be as environmentally friendly as we can. We always try to source responsibly for you, but that doesn’t mean we let ourselves dip in quality. Our business cards, scratchcards and direct mail leaflets are obviously still of an incredibly high standard. So, whilst some may query how you can be sustainable whilst working in the printing industry, we’re about to tell you how we do it and why it should inspire others to be greener.

Sustainable printing requires much effort, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. Yes, there is a lot of complicated jargon, but that’s what this article is all about! We’re here to explain why we are committed to being a sustainable printing company. Plus, we can help your business become greener and cleaner.  

3) The benefits outweigh the risks

Because of how the world is going, customers have been known to get a real buzz when they discover their eco-friendly items. Not only does the environment benefit, but your brand will too! However, as mentioned in this article here, supply and demand economics cannot fully capture the value of sustainability within a business.

A happy customer who is thrilled with their product and the environmentally friendly impact can do wonders for your business. Whether through word of mouth or reviews, if your brand is known to be working with sustainable practices, it’s a great unique selling point. Plus, it makes your company or business very attractive to work with.

Additionally, other benefits of offering sustainable printing services include efficiency and speed. You can submit a faster turnaround, and if, like Purely Digital, they deliver straight to you, it all contributes to saving the environment.

4) You can’t afford to be unsustainable

So, we know the benefits of being (and using) a sustainable printing company, but we also know the negatives if you are not a sustainable company. Not only do you miss out on the benefits mentioned above and the advantages, but you will be harming the environment. That is number one on our list of negatives. Forget about the damage that can be done to your brand. The harm you are doing to the world and climate is why you should always look to develop environmentally friendly business practices.

Your contribution to waste production will be measured, and there are likely to be more harmful chemicals at play in the production of your materials. Some printing companies may also leave machines running all night, which is a waste and bad for the environment. They are consuming more energy which is a big negative for the environment. It is, in effect, unsustainable. Check out Purely Digital’s credentials and eco-friendly page to see our accreditation which we are so proud of!

5) We just want to be Purely Green

Although it sounds like a cliché, we do just want the world to be a better place. By being a sustainable printing company for corporate companies, we are changing the world for the better. In the news, there are enough warnings about waste, landfills, pollution, and global warming to make us realise that we need to do better. So, to help combat this, our aim is to be purely green.

It helps our business, and it also helps yours. Your carbon footprint will likely decrease, but it will also improve your business’s efficiency. We work with one eye on the future. By improving the journey we take you on, we help create a better future.

Talk to Purely Digital about sustainable printing

Get in touch with Purely Digital today to discuss the benefits of sustainable printing. We can help your business in many ways. Whether it be by printing for corporate companies or coming up with innovative ways to keep your company’s data safe. We’re full of creativity and imaginative ideas!

We look forward to hearing from you.

We’re a clean, green tree-planting printing machine

Friday, November 26th, 2021
Purely Digital Printing

HERE AT PURELY DIGITAL, WE TAKE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES VERY SERIOUSLY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING AS CLEAN AND GREEN AS POSSIBLE. WE WANT TO OFFER SUSTAINABLE PRINTING IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. 

As a sustainable printing company we recognise the impact our work, and the perceived impact our industry, in particular, can have on trees, as well as the potential impact on the world that this can have. This is why it is so important to us that we offset our work, which we do in a variety of different ways using our planting printing machine.

Back in 2008, at the birth of Purely Digital, we began our environmental journey and looked into ways that we could use renewable energy within the business. We started this by using energy from EON generated by wind farms.

Then, in 2013, we discovered the Premier Paper Group’s Carbon Capture scheme, which aims to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions generated by the production, storage and distribution of paper. So we instantly signed up!

To date, our efforts have enabled Purely Digital to create over 2,000㎡ new native woodlands to remove more than 80,000kg of Carbon Dioxide.

As part of the scheme, for each tonne of paper that we have purchased from Premier Paper, £8.50 has been paid to the Woodland Trust to go towards planting trees to create new areas of native woodland in the UK.

But that didn’t feel enough, we wanted to do more. Whilst the Carbon Capture scheme offsets the manufacture and transport of paper to our premises, we wanted to do something about all the carbon that our work emits. So in 2015, we became the first UK printer to take part in the full capture scheme whereby all the carbon we produce as a business is offset. Even now, four years on, there are only a handful of other printing companies UK wide taking part!

Since joining the scheme we have become a Certified Carbon Capture Company which enables us to offset every single bit of CO2 that we emit as a company, including the printed paper we produce.

So far, Purely Digital alone has been responsible for the planting of over 2,000m2 of trees to remove over 80,000kg of carbon dioxide, something which we are very proud of, particularly as that number is increasing daily.

For the next step of our offsetting journey we are going to be rolling up our sleeves, grabbing a spade and getting out in the great outdoors to get planting!

Purely Digital Printing

The Premier Paper Group and The Woodland Trust hold planting days where everyone participating in the scheme, along with their clients, can get involved in getting the trees in the ground. On November 21st, to mark National Tree Week, we are thrilled to be joining in with a planting day close to home. We’ll be heading to Mead near Heanor in Derbyshire, which is the newest area to be acquired by the Woodland Trust and will be the first Young People’s Forest.

Our sustainable printing contribution and aim for Purely Digital is to plant 150 trees in one day!

Why 150? It is said that everyone on the planet would need to plant 150 trees to reverse the damage that carbon emissions have caused over the past 10 years alone.

The planting day is also part of The Big Climate Fightback, a Woodland Trust campaign to get one million people to join the fight against climate change by pledging to plant a tree before the end of November this year.

Click here to read more about Purely Digital’s green policies and find out more here about Premier’s Paper work with The Woodland Trust.

For more info on this sustainable printing company, check out our Purely Digital homepage.

We’re a clean, green tree-planting printing machine

Thursday, October 31st, 2019
Purely Digital Printing

HERE AT PURELY DIGITAL, WE TAKE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES VERY SERIOUSLY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING AS CLEAN AND GREEN AS POSSIBLE. 

As a printing company we recognise the impact our work, and the perceived impact our industry in particular, can have on trees, as well as the potential impact on the world that this can have. This is why it is so important to us that we offset our work, which we do in a variety of different ways.

Back in 2008, at the birth of Purely Digital, we began our environmental journey and looked into ways that we could use renewable energy within the business. We started this by using energy from EON generated by wind farms.

Then, in 2013, we discovered the Premier Paper Group’s Carbon Capture scheme, which aims to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions generated by the production, storage and distribution of paper. So we instantly signed up!

To date, our efforts has enabled Purely Digital to create over 2,000㎡ of new native woodland to remove more than 80,000kg of Carbon Dioxide.

As part of the scheme, for each tonne of paper that we have purchased from Premier Paper, £8.50 has been paid to the Woodland Trust to go towards planting trees to create new areas of native woodland in the UK.

But that didn’t feel enough, we wanted to do more. Whilst the Carbon Capture scheme offsets the manufacture and transport of paper to our premises, we wanted to do something about all the carbon that our work emits. So in 2015, we became the first UK printer to take part in the full capture scheme whereby all the carbon we produce as a business is offset. Even now, four years on, there are only a handful of other printing companies UK wide taking part!

Since joining the scheme we have become a Certified Carbon Capture Company which enables us to offset every single bit of CO2 that we emit as a company, including the printed paper we produce.

So far, Purely Digital alone has been responsible for the planting of over 2,000m2 of trees to remove over 80,000kg of carbon dioxide, something which we are very proud of, particularly as that number is increasing daily.

For the next step of our offsetting journey we are going to be rolling up our sleeves, grabbing a spade and getting out in the great outdoors to get planting!

Purely Digital Printing

The Premier Paper Group and The Woodland Trust hold planting days where everyone participating in the scheme, along with their clients, can get involved in getting the trees in the ground. On November 21st, to mark National Tree Week, we are thrilled to be joining in with a planting day close to home. We’ll be heading to Mead near Heanor in Derbyshire, which is the newest area to be acquired by the Woodland Trust and will be the first Young People’s Forest.

Our aim is to plant 150 trees in one day!

Why 150? It is said that everyone on the planet would need to plant 150 trees to reverse the damage that carbon emissions have caused over the past 10 years alone.

The planting day is also part of The Big Climate Fightback, a Woodland Trust campaign to get one million people to join the fight against climate change by pledging to plant a tree before the end of November this year.

Click here to read more about Purely Digital’s green policies and find out more here about Premier’s Paper work with The Woodland Trust.

A Purely Parisian adventure — Thank you to everybody who supported us

Friday, August 10th, 2018

Back from his three-day cycle trip to Paris, Purely’s Managing Director shares his thoughts on the whole experience, the people who made it possible, and tells us what he’s got planned next. 

It seems like the summer of 2018 will be forever associated with triumphs across The Channel. Not only did France manage to secure victory in this year’s World Cup, but Purely’s very own Andrew Edmondson also had something to celebrate whilst visiting the nation’s capital; successfully crossing the finish line to a three-day cycle challenge — smashing his fundraising target in the process.

“I’m still buzzing from the whole experience,” says Andrew. “I suppose this is how Didier Deschamps probably felt. Well, maybe just a little bit.”

Deschamps is, of course, the manager who led France’s national team to victory. And just like him, Andrew had his very own winning team in form of Koobr’s Craig Barker and Chris Bastock from We Are Ghost.

“We’re all Derby companies, so giving back to the community we work in has always been a really big deal for us. Of course, this particular cause was something very personal to me.”

You’ll probably remember how we sat down with Andrew in the weeks leading up to his challenge to cycle from London to Paris; discussing his motivations for doing so; and raising funds for Derby Hospitals Charity following their suburb care after his heart attack last year.

More than two months later, and not only did the boys manage to cover the distance, they also surpassed Andrew’s fundraising target in the process. A phenomenal achievement all around.

“Right off the bat, I’ve got to thank everybody who supported us: everybody who donated; everybody who sent kind messages of encouragement; and everybody who — in some form or another — dedicated their own time to help us accomplish what we set out to do.

“I also have to give special mention to professional round-the-world cyclist Leigh Timmis, for all his guidance and training in the months leading up to the event. We couldn’t have done this without your involvement.

“And finally, I’d like to say a massive Thank You to Phil; our support vehicle and photographer. In addition to patiently trucking around after all of us, he captured some wonderful moments on camera, so we could share the whole experience with everybody right here.”

London, Dieppe, Beauvais to Paris

Day One saw the boys depart from London to Newhaven, where the boat was waiting to ferry them all the way to France.

“Anybody who has tried to navigate their way through London traffic will already know it can be a bit of a nightmare,” says Andrew. “But when you’re racing to catch a Ferry first thing in the morning… well, even Boris Johnson would agree a bike isn’t the most practical solution!

Once we were out of the city, however, the rolling country roads definitely helped with getting us back on track. We even made the boat in time for a few drinks to toast the voyage.

Without anymore boats or trains to catch (don’t worry, they didn’t cycle all the way down to London, in case you were wondering) Day Two was an enjoyable 70 mile ride through the quaint villages and beautiful countryside through Dieppe to Beauvais.

“It was around this time we stopped in a little village called Forges-Let Eaux. Phil had been providing vehicle support the entire time, and he was probably feeling just as fatigued as the rest of us.

“But this brief pause gave us the chance to take in some refreshments, enjoy our surroundings, and even catch some of France’s first group match of the 2018 World Cup. What could be more perfect?”

“The final day saw us ride into Paris after 57 miles of smooth cycling, until we hit the city traffic. But we persevered and made it to the Arc de Triomphe, giving us our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Actually getting there, however, was a completely different story.

“It seemed to take a while until we reached our goal, weaving through the tourist and locals, but we eventually made it. That’s when it really hit me how far we’d all come.

“I can’t really put into words what this journey has meant to me. All I can say is how thankful I am to everybody who was part of it, and how much of an affirming experience this has been.

“More will follow, I’m sure. I’ve already got a few destinations in mind – and if we can continue to raise even more funds for good causes, well that makes it even more worthwhile.”

Purely Digital cycles to Paris in support of Derby Hospitals Charity

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

This June, Purely’s Managing Director will be cycling the 300km journey from London to Paris in support of Derby Hospitals Charity. Here Andrew Edmondson explains why this particular challenge is so important to him.

Open up your calendar and take a look at what’s happening in June, and you’ll find what is sure to be the biggest, most highly-anticipated sporting event in 2018. No, we’re not talking about the World Cup. We are, of course, referring to the 300km-long bike ride from London to Paris led by Purely Digital’s very own MD, Andrew Edmondson.

“It’s actually more like a marathon than a bike ride,” Andrew laughs, “but getting other people to come along is much easier when you say you’re going on a bike ride.”

Joined by friends across Derby’s business community, Andrew will be making the trip in support of Derby Hospitals Charity — raising much-needed funds for Derby Royal’s A&E Department

“In reality, I didn’t need to do any convincing. When I told people what I was planning, they were more than enthused to get involved. Especially when I explained my reasons for wanting to do it in the first place.”

Passionate about Derby Hospitals Charity

“As people who know me will already be aware, last year I had a heart attack. It was very out of he blue. However, I was assessed and underwent a procedure in a very short space of time.

“Thanks to the immediate actions of Derby Royal’s staff and medical team, the damage to my heart was greatly reduced and my overall recovery has been much quicker than it would have been otherwise.

“Everybody knows our hospitals are under tremendous pressure, and something Derby Royal isn’t budgeted for is a dedicated place where staff can visit and grab a little headspace from time to time.

“These people work in an extremely stressful, demanding environment, and it does affect them in ways most of us couldn’t possibly imagine.

“There are a few areas around the hospital where staff and the families of patients can go whenever they need it, but they’re in desperate need of restoration and I’d really like to be able to give them something more substantial and deserving.

“That’s why I got in touch with Kerry Brady at Derby Hospitals Charity, asking everybody to donate what they can, whilst hopefully demonstrating what can physically be accomplished when you receive the proper treatment and support.”

Of course, Andrew has always been a keen cyclist, and whether it was something he would be able to continue with was the first thing he asked his consultant cardiologist.

“In fact, he encouraged it,” says Andrew. “Now it’s something I incorporate even regularly than before, cycling to work instead of taking the regular commute — which is certainly quicker!

“I’ve dramatically tweaked my diet and, combined with the extra exercise, I feel fitter than ever. This entire experience has really changed my outlook..

Joining Andrew on his trip will be friends across the local business community, including Sean Price from Xuper, Chris Bastock from We Are Ghost, and Craig Barker from branding agency Koobr (main picture)

“Training is going really well. We all managed to finish last month’s Cycle Derby Sportive relatively quickly (pictured above). With a little more training before June, I’m confident we’ll make it to Paris in good time.”

Purely’s Tour de Paris

Setting off from St. Pancreas on June 15th, the group will make their way across the Channel and round-off their first day in Dieppe, France — cycling roughly 100km per day, before eventually arriving in Paris two days later.

Map-route

“It’s going to be a tough slog, for sure,” says Andrew, “but it will be equally rewarding on so many levels.

“I’ve been truly inspired by all the support I’ve received towards my recovery from numerous medical specialists, friends, and the rest of team at Purely Digital. Making this trip will be a testament to all these great things, and the perfect way to encapsulate what has otherwise been a significantly important journey.

“If we can raise some money to give something back to our hard-working hospitals and show them how much they mean to us — well, that will make it all the more worthwhile.”

Naturally, we’re all very excited here at Purely Headquarters and we wish Andrew and the rest of guys the very best of luck! We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has shown their support on social media, and for all donations already received via Andrew’s Just Giving page — which you can visit here

We’ve still got a ways to go until we reach our £2,000 target, but there’s still plenty of time for you get involved and help us get there. So please dig deep, share Andrew’s story, and make some noise on social media.

Thank you.