The staff of Pantera Property, a family-run national property valuations and disposals business based in Harrogate, have pulled out all the stops to raise money for Harrogate’s St Michael’s Hospice by running and cycling 250 miles, after coronavirus restrictions scuppered their original plans for a charity five-a-side football tournament.
Managing director Tom Snook (pictured) said the Pantera Property team, which includes his sisters, directors Hattie and Gabby Snook, were determined not to be beaten by the lockdown and to go ahead with their annual fundraising efforts for the hospice. They have raised a total of £10,000 for St Michael’s Hospice since they began holding an annual charity football tournament in 2016.
“Every June we organise a football tournament in aid of St Michael’s, with our colleagues and people from other firms we work with all taking part,” said Tom.
“We realised that wasn’t going to be on the cards this year so we decided that, rather than cancel the whole thing, which would have meant St Michael’s would missed out on much-needed funds, we would attempt a sponsored run and cycle ride instead.”
Across Pantera’s three offices in Harrogate, London and Chelmsford, the 10-strong team pulled together to run 50 miles and cycle 200 miles in relay on 12 June. With a fundraising page set up on Just Giving, the colleagues have already raised £1,500 and are aiming to reach £2,500, with further donations still coming in.
“We all managed to do some training during lockdown to try and ensure we were up to the challenge and it paid off on the day, despite some very wet and windy weather,” said Tom, who clocked up a 50 mile cycle ride and 15-mile run on the day.
“St Michael’s do such essential work for people with terminal illnesses, and they have touched the lives of almost everyone in Harrogate and the surrounding area. They need support more than ever at the moment to ensure they can generate the £5m it costs them every year just to keep going and we were really pleased to be able help in a small way.”
