Once again, the team at the East Riding’s only traditional mutual, Beverley Building Society, turned into competitive cyclists during the week of Monday 10th June 2024, as they brought their trusty exercise bike into branch, for another cycling marathon.
This year the charitable beneficiary is Yorkshire Cancer Research, which funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. They reached the 369-mile team target, the equivalent of three times the round-trip distance between Beverley Building Society’s branch in Beverley’s Saturday Market and the Charity’s Harrogate head office, in just five and a half days.
The BBS Bike Challenge is in its third consecutive year and despite the weather staff took the bike outside of the branch whenever they could to maximise fundraising and awareness. Andy Wilson, Engagement Manager for Yorkshire Cancer Research even travelled over to Beverley to get involved, which was very much appreciated by the team! Once again Team BBS would like to say a huge thank you for the overwhelming generosity of Society members and the public, as donations into the buckets and, after match-funding by the Society, the initiative raised £2,200!
Yorkshire Cancer Research exists so that more people can live longer healthier lives, free of cancer. In addition to funding world-leading experts who are discovering new ways to treat cancer, the charity pioneers exercise programmes to help people with cancer prepare for and recover from treatment.
Each year, 31,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Yorkshire, so some of the Beverley’s team jumped at the chance to support Yorkshire Cancer Research’s own ‘We Walk for Yorkshire’ campaign, which invited people to walk a collective 31,000 miles in May. So far, with match-funding from the Society, Team BBS has raised £4,800 on this activity alone and it’s not finished yet.
Hayley Cragg found a lump in her breast just a day after discovering she was pregnant with her son Louie and, thanks to the importance of charities like Yorkshire Cancer Research, she was successfully treated – even while pregnant - and has taken part in the charity’s TV campaign to raise awareness of signs and symptoms.
Society marketing manager, Debbie Connolly told us: “It’s very upsetting to think that so many of us are living with cancer or know someone who has been affected. I think we were all blown away by learning of the incredible work of Yorkshire Cancer Research and how treatment is advancing all the time, so we were committed to supporting that goal through this event and will continue to do so through our 2024 Charity of the Year Campaign.
“We also love the Bike Challenge because we get to chat to our local community who are joining forces with us to make a positive difference and we get a little fitter at the same time – how fantastic is that? We cannot thank our community enough for their incredible support they have helped to save lives with their donations!”
Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “It was great to see everyone at Beverley Building Society getting involved with the bike challenge and helping to raise vital funds for cancer research in Yorkshire. We’re grateful to have been selected as the Building Society’s charity of the year, and can’t wait to see what else they get up to this year.
“The partnership will help raise awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, both within the Beverley Building Society team and those using their buses across Yorkshire. Not only this, but funds raised will help Yorkshire Cancer Research continue to fund vital cancer research and services.”
