Team-building exercise supports cancer charity

STAFF from Biffa Municipal used a team-building exercise to raise money for a cancer charity.
The Biffa Municipal team and their bicyclesThe Biffa Municipal team and their bicycles
The Biffa Municipal team and their bicycles

Colleagues who work for the contractor providing Arun District Council’s recycling, refuse and street and beach cleansing services cycled 35 miles and raised more than £1,000 for Cancerwise.

The team comprised street supervisors Mark Jenkins, Maria Stanford and Jodie Gumble, senior administrator Marie Pattenden, fleet engineer Kellett Hieke, operations manager Shaun Emery and driver Stephen Sands.

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They rode from Biffa’s Littlehampton depot to Shoreham and back, taking 4½ hours in total.

From left, Maria Stanford, Mark Jenkins, Laura Parker, Emma Neno from Cancerwise, Jodie Gumble and Marie Pattenden at the cheque presentationFrom left, Maria Stanford, Mark Jenkins, Laura Parker, Emma Neno from Cancerwise, Jodie Gumble and Marie Pattenden at the cheque presentation
From left, Maria Stanford, Mark Jenkins, Laura Parker, Emma Neno from Cancerwise, Jodie Gumble and Marie Pattenden at the cheque presentation

Marie explained: “We decided it would be fun to use cycling as a team-building exercise. Then we realised we wanted to do something for a local charity.

“Cancer is something that affects many people, including Emma Neno, a friend of mine who has had the disease and works for Cancerwise, so we made that our choice.”

The team trained together each week over a few months, gradually increasing their mileage until they felt that the ride was achievable.

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“None of us are serious cyclists and so it was a decent challenge,” said Marie.

“The course itself was really pleasant, though the ride back to Littlehampton was into a stiff breeze that made us work harder.

“It was also interesting navigating through the many cyclists we encountered who were enjoying the seafront’s cycle lanes.”

They presented a cheque for £1,159.83, raised through donations and sponsorship, at the charity’s Chichester headquarters last week.

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Cancerwise provides information, emotional support and practical lifestyle advice to patients, family members and carers in the Arun area.

Emma Neno, Cancerwise fundraising manager, said: “On behalf of everyone at Cancerwise, I would like to sincerely thank the amazing Biffa cycling team for completing their brilliant challenge and raising such an incredible amount for our charity.

“The money will go a long way to helping those affected by cancer in our local area by funding counselling and therapy sessions.

“I would also like to thank everyone who supported, cheered on and sponsored the team, we are very grateful.”

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Cancerwise has a Drop-in Support Centre in Tavern House, City Business Centre, Basin Road, Chichester, which offers support and information for people across West Sussex and East Hampshire who is concerned about cancer.

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