Sencio Community Leisure (SCL) has teamed up with Mencap for a health and safety challenge.

 It represents the first time the charity has partnered with a leisure provider and is part of a scheme that's been operating for 10 years and aims to improve the health and safety performance of businesses while at the same time raising funds for Mencap's work.

 The scheme will be operated by SCL at its centres in Edenbridge, Sevenoaks and Swanley and will encourage staff to be constantly mindful of potential health and safety hazards, whether it's a broken tile in a changing area, a worn carpet or a piece of gym equipment requiring urgent attention. Each time a potential hazard is identified and dealt with SCL will donate £5 to Mencap.

 Adam Perry, SCL's community and centres director, says: "We are excited about this opportunity to work with Mencap on such an innovative scheme that will help us reinforce with our staff the importance of spotting and reporting health and safety issues at the same time as raising money for such a worthy cause.

 "Mencap will become Sencio Community Leisure's nominated charity for 2013 and will, for example, benefit from our annual charity golf day to be held in late summer. That will be one of a number of fundraising events during the year, including a virtual triathlon, Swimathon, marathon Spinning sessions and a 5km festive fun run with everyone dressed as Santas. We've even got our centre managers signed-up to have their legs shaved!"

 Mencap was founded in 1946 and campaigns for change and increased awareness, delivers services and runs community based projects.  It is now a leading facilitator and voice in the fight for equal rights and opportunities for people with a learning disability.

 James Aslett, Mencap's corporate development manager, says: "Sencio Community Leisure already boasts an impressive track record in embracing local people with learning and physical disabilities within its business model so we are delighted to be working closely with its management and staff during 2013.

 "We obviously want to raise lots of money to help our work and raise awareness of what we do, but equally we hope this partnership will provide lots of opportunities for local people and Sencio customers to come on board and partner with us on fundraising ideas and, just as importantly, have fun in the process."