LINCOLNSHIRE: At 10am on Friday 8 July around 100 employees from Jackson Building Centres around the East Midlands mounted their bikes to raise £6000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Staff from all the Jacksons branches cycled to another branch in their area. The shortest ride was 10.7 miles (Lincoln Hykeham to Newark), ranging up to the longest distance of 27.9 miles (Scunthorpe to Grimsby). Some 22 different legs were cycled simultaneously, covering a total of 380 miles. Those who took part have differing levels of fitness and a wide age range and the event was organised to be as inclusive as possible.
On the same day, three Jacksons colleagues, who are more experienced cyclists, opted for a longer route of over 140 miles. Managing director Andy Williams, commercial director Paul Bullivant and Darren Wathall, who works at the Skegness branch, set off from Jackson’s branch and head offices at Pelham House in Lincoln. They cycled to branches at Grantham, Stamford, Spalding, Boston, Sleaford, before arriving back in Lincoln.
Andy Williams, Jacksons managing director, said: “I am really pleased that we chose a date in the summer as the bike ride would not have been the same without the gale force winds, thunder, lightning and hailstones! All the branches embraced the idea and there was a great atmosphere and sense of achievement for all those who were involved.”
In 2011, its centenary year, Macmillan Cancer Support has been adopted by Jackson Building Centres as its national charity partner. Together with other brands within its parent company, Grafton Merchanting GB, the aim is to raise £200 000 for the Macmillan Support Line, a helpline that offers practical and financial support and guidance to people living with cancer.
