News
Cambridge ESOL staff cycle 50 miles in support of head-injury charity
23 September 2010
This weekend, a group of keen cyclists from a department of Cambridge University are taking part in a 50-mile charity bike ride for the benefit of people with brain injury, their families and carers.
The Customer Services Team at the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) are aiming to raise £1,000 as part of a series of fundraising events in support of the Cambridge branch of Headway – the UK’s leading brain injury charity. They are the first organisation to take up Headway’s newly launched Baton Challenge. They will hold onto a special trophy for the duration of six weeks whilst they raise money for Headway Cambridgeshire – starting with Sunday’s cycling event. The 10 cyclists will choose between a 20 mile route and a 50 mile route around Cambridgeshire and Essex, on the morning of 26 September from Hills Road Cambridge. Some are even attempting both circuits to cycle an impressive 70 miles. Stephen Morton, who works at Cambridge ESOL and organised the cycle said:
“I can’t wait to take on the challenge. Our goal was to raise £250 and thanks to the generosity of friends and family, I’m well on the way to beating this. I think it’s because everybody appreciates what an excellent cause this is.”
Cambridge ESOL staff were determined to get involved in the challenge when they heard about the important support work Headway carry out. Each year 1.4 million people attend hospital A&E in the UK following a head injury and Headway offer a range of support services to those affected. Juliet Wilson, Assistant Director, Customer Services at Cambridge ESOL, explains:
“We were so touched by Headway’s work everybody in Customer Services rallied together to get involved. With cycling so inherent Cambridge’s culture it seemed rather fitting to kick off the events in this way. We’re aiming to raise over £1000 in the two months through a whole host of events including half marathons, an office-based village fete and even a comedy beard cut.”
The Cambridge-based exam board will then throw down the gauntlet to another organisation by handing over the Baton. Andrew Gardner, CEO, Headway Cambridgeshire says:
“This is an exciting new project for us and we are delighted that the team from ESOL are the first holders of our Baton. The array of fundraising ideas they are planning to undertake looks like they are going to be fun whilst at the same time raising money and awareness for Headway Cambridgeshire.”
The next event Cambridge ESOL is planning for Headway is a charity work “Dress up Day” where staff will be encouraged to don formal evening wear during work hours.
