Midcounties staff cycle to raise 15,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust

A group of four Midcounties Co-operative staff members have raised £15,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust with a 500km cycle challenge. The team completed the four-day challenge by cycling from the Eiffel Tower to Lake Geneva, while crossing the Jura Mountains.

Dan Pardesi, Energy Reduction Officer at the Midcounties Co-operative, who took part in the challenge, said: “Last year we successfully completed the London to Paris cycling challenge, and we knew this year we had to up the stakes and tackle one of Europe’s toughest terrains.

“We are all really inspired by the work that Teenage Cancer Trust does for young people facing cancer, and all the training and steep hills we faced was worth it knowing that we’ve helped to raise even more money for this very worthwhile charity. We’d like to thank all our colleagues, customers and members for generously donating and supporting our challenge.”

Mr Pardesi was joined by Pat Kiely, Head of Property Services; Peter Lockey, Society Marketing Manager; and Jon Cobb, Property Development Project Manager, who also cycled from Paris to Geneva to raise money for the charity. Last year they cycled from London to Paris as part of a group of six Midcounties employees, including Jenny Brown, Helen Ramsell. They raised £11,000 and it was for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The initiative is just one of Midcounties’ projects designed to help reach its £500,000 fundraising target for Teenage Cancer Trust, the only UK charity dedicated to improving the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer aged between 13 and 24. The society has raised over £460,000 for the charity since January 2013 as part of a two-year partnership that started in January 2013.