Seven enthusiastic St Margaret's employees cycled to work Tuesday 11 June during Bike Week, collectively covering over 300 miles to arrive at the Taunton hospice site by 9am. Greeted by a welcoming committee of applauding colleagues, the cyclists were cheered over the finish line. Despite the early start, with some setting off as early as 5:30am, all arrived at the hospice with beaming smiles having completed their challenge.
It all started when Jack Gorman, Senior IT Technician, received a new bike. His colleagues in the IT department encouraged him to cycle to work more often. This sparked an idea with Tom White, Head of Business Intelligence, who issued a friendly challenge: If Jack cycled to and from work 50 times from his home in Taunton, covering roughly 100 miles, then Tom would cycle to and from work from Barnstaple, also about 100 miles.
The challenge quickly gained momentum. Tim Netto, Head of IT and a passionate member of the St Margaret’s Green Group, pledged to ride from Burnham, approximately 30 miles each way, to support Tom. What began as a friendly dare spiralled into a department-wide initiative, culminating in CEO James Rimmer joining the cause and cycling all the way from Bristol.
Speaking of the cycle James Rimmer, said, “My mum is one of the recipients currently receiving care in our day hospice, The Sunflower Centre and it was a wonderful opportunity to encourage both healthy living for colleagues at St Margaret’s but also to put something back and get some fundraising. He added “Thanks to all who rode in, who welcomed us and all those who have sponsored us.”
So far, the groups collective efforts have raised an impressive £1,250 for the hospice which could pay for 24 hours of expert specialist care on St Margaret’s In-Patient Unit, but they’re not stopping there! The team continue to welcome donations and support here!
St Margaret’s is incredibly proud of Jack Gorman, Tom White, Tim Netto, Ian Lintern, George Cockburn, Nick Middleton and James Rimmer for showing such enthusiasm for the challenge. Listen to what they had to say about the challenge below!