Published on: Thursday 14 Sep 2017 at 09:20
HTS Group’s brave challengers, ‘Raff’s Pedalers,’ conquer 240 mile cycle and Snowdon ascent in aid of St Clare!
On Thursday 7 September at 8am, staff at local Harlow business HTS Group took to their bicycles and embarked on a 240 mile cycle challenge from the company’s HQ all the way to Wales’ Snowdon. After four days on the road, the brave St Clare supporters ascended the country’s highest peak on the evening of Sunday 10 September – all in aid of St Clare Hospice.
The energetic challengers, ‘Raff’s Pedalers,’ included HTS Group employees Mark Rafferty, Gaynor Watson, Kim Mehew, Sue Grosvenor and Bob Walton, accompanied by Bob’s son Jack Walton.
St Clare Hospice is HTS Group’s Charity of Choice – which was announced at the company launch on 1 February 2017. A grand total of £4,447.50 in sponsorship collected as a result of the Snowdon challenge will be donated to St Clare.
HTS Group have fully supported the group’s plans, providing a minibus back-up vehicle and its petrol expenses, overnight accommodation and other necessary resources for the group to complete the challenge.
St Clare Hospice’s Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy Jacobs, said:
“Raff’s Pedalers have done so amazingly well in completing this gruelling 240 mile cycle all the way to Snowdon – and then ascending the peak! We’re extremely grateful to have such supportive partners and staff over at HTS Group, who have enthusiastically supported the challenger’s pursuit in raising vital funds for St Clare.”
“The £4.5k raised by HTS Group’s Raff’s Pedalers is enough to fund a week-long visit for a patient to receive vital care on our Inpatient Unit, either in their last days or for pain control and symptom management. With the support of generous local businesses and brave challengers such as HTS Group and Raff’s Pedalers, local people’s lives really can be improved and a real difference can be made in the communities we all live in and love. A huge thank you to Mark, Gaynor, Kim, Sue, Bob and Jack for taking part in this incredible adventure, to HTS Group who supported the team, and to everyone who donated and sponsored these wonderful people.”
Commenting on the challenge, Raff’s Pedalers cyclist, Mark Rafferty, said:
“After a great amount of support from all involved, we had a tremendous send-off with all of our colleagues and friends there to wave us off. In the three days of cycling, we had lots of highs, and also some low points, too. Most importantly, we had a lot of laughs along the way, cycling through the hills and valleys together. Mt. Snowdon was tough to climb in 50mph winds and the rain hammering down on us!”
Mr. Rafferty continued: “It was all completely worth the pain, as we aimed to raise £3,000 for St Clare Hospice, but have currently raised £4247.50! I believe the total is still rising, which is just amazing, and we can’t thank everyone enough for sponsoring us so generously. I want to thank my fellow cyclists: Sue, Kim, Gaynor, Bob and Jack, and our support team: Martin, Laura and Phil. Thank you to all the amazing local companies that were happy to support us to help raise much vital funds for St Clare, too: HTS (Property and Environment) Ltd, European Watercare, Image Worx, Jensons, Harlow Flooring, Halfords, and, of course, everyone who sponsored us and donated to St Clare.”
You can congratulate ‘Raff’s Pedalers’ on completing their challenge, and help to raise vital funding for St Clare Hospice, by visiting their online fundraising page here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rafferty250milesandsnowdon
For more information about the corporate partnership opportunities with St Clare Hospice please contact their Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy Jacobs, on 01279 773758 or amy.jacobs@stclarehospice.org.uk