Chris Howard, Jim Keddie, John Kelly and Steve Kelly, who all work in the IT Department, recently took part in a challenge to cycle 75 miles around the Island’s circumference, raising £1,600 for the charity.
The journey took just under eight hours to complete in treacherous 30 mile per hour winds, heavy rain and poor visibility. The quartet climbed just over 30,000 feet between them during their challenge!
Macmillan Cancer Support was Royal London Group’s charity of the year for 2009. It has four staff based in the Isle of Man, and staff based in the UK who support patients when they have treatment there. They work alongside GPs and staff from Nobles Hospital to provide emotional, medical and financial support to cancer patients and their families.
The quartet took the idea to cycle the circumference of the Isle of Man after Royal London Intermediary Division’s Chief Executive, John Deane, recently completed a 977 mile cycle marathon between Land’s End and John O’Groats. John was given £450 in sponsorship by Royal London 360° staff, who donated the proceeds from the reception coffee machine to the money he raised. This has also been presented to Macmillan staff in the Isle of Man.
IT Analyst, Chris Howard, commented: “This is the furthest any of us has cycled before, and we’re very proud to have finished the challenge particularly because of the horrific weather that day.
“Macmillan Cancer Support does a fantastic job supporting people living with cancer, both practically and emotionally, here on the Island. Knowing what an excellent cause we were raising money for kept us going.”
Cheque presentation (l-r): Chris Howard, John Kelly (both Royal London 360°); Mary Scott (Macmillan Isle of Man fundraiser); Steve Kelly (Royal London 360°); Pat Cook (Macmillan Isle of Man fundraiser)
Not pictured: Jim Keddie (Royal London 360
