A team of intrepid JCB cyclists is putting pedal power into action with a massive fundraising challenge to help enhance the lives of children and young people with cancer.
The 42 JCB cyclists today began a 42,000-kilometre, 80 day sponsored cycle challenge – the equivalent of riding around the world – with their sights set on a £100,000 target.
The money is being raised for Hannah’s Hope, a fundraiser set up by JCB welding apprentice Hannah Roberts, 20, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just months after joining the company.
Hannah, who will celebrate her 21st birthday on the final day of the JCB challenge, was given just 15 months to live in September 2022 when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. Although she has undergone surgery to remove the cancer, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a trait of the condition means it keeps re-growing. With the support of JCB, her family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for treatment in the USA when she needs it.
Now, Hannah is aiming to raise £200,000 to buy and equip a luxury holiday lodge just five minutes from her home at Mercia Marina, in Willington, Derbyshire. The lodge will be offered free of charge to families of teenagers and young adults who are under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust to spend valuable time together.
Hannah and mum Gail Iredale visited the JCB World Headquarters at Rocester on Monday to get the JCB Around the World in 80 Days cycle challenge under way. Gail said: “JCB have never left our side in whatever we have faced and we will be forever grateful to Lord Bamford and the many JCB people who have raised funds for us and just shown that they care.
“Now that Hannah has more energy, she wants to give something back and help others. Six teenagers or young adults are given the devastating news they have cancer every day and they really need something to look forward to. We want to make the lodge a place for respite, recuperation and making memories for these families.”
JCB Principal Engineer Aaron Turner, event organiser and a founding member of the JCB Cycling Club, explained: “The Bamford family wants to show its continued support for Hannah, and George Bamford, who is a keen cyclist, came up with the Around the World in 80 Days challenge.
“There will be 42 JCB cyclists taking part and it is very much an international effort, with employees from many of our UK factories taking part as well as employees based in Pune, India joining in.
“Over the ten-week challenge we will be clocking up the miles with individual road rides and group outings, including a route to Mercia Marina where Hannah’s lodge will be sited. We’ll also be topping up the miles with spinning classes at the JCB World Headquarters each Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
“Many of the cyclists met with Gail last week and after hearing first hand their inspirational story, we are determined to make a difference for them by raising at least half of Hannah’s £200,000 target.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor the JCB cyclists can donate through the JCB Around the World in 80 Days JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/JCBaroundworld80days
