Team trek raises £47k for local cancer charity

Team trek raises £47k for local cancer charity
Henderson Group staff Toni Downing, Mark Adrain alnd Michelle Dineen along with Darren Murray, Cancer Fund for Children

Six members of staff from the Henderson Group have completed a charity trek through Vietnamese jungle as part of the group’s fundraising efforts for Cancer Fund for Children.

The team set off for Vietnam in October of this year where they spent six days trekking through the jungle , staying in local homestays and having their meals prepared by local Vietnamese families.

Preparations for the trek began in early 2018 as all participants undertook a significant fundraising challenge and attended information sessions to prepare them for the excursion.

To reach the fundraising total, the team organised various events from raffles, street collections, charity football days and 1,500 mile charity cycle. Fundraising efforts were boosted by the Henderson Group who topped up monies raised and even donated the proceeds from sales of SPAR cowboy hats at the Balmoral Show to the team’s total.

Mark Adrain, Property Director with Henderson Group, was one of the six staff who travelled to Vietnam and described the adventure as a “lifechanging experience.”

“The six days we spent in Vietnam were some of the most challenging but also rewarding days of my life and even though we had 18 months to get ready for the trek, nothing could have prepared us for the conditions we met in the jungle. Days were hard and tiring but the camaraderie was really special and we kept each other’s spirits high during the toughest parts.

“Throughout the six days, we never lost sight of why we were taking on this challenge and the support we received both in terms of well wishes and financial donations helped us stay motivated. We are completely overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone who helped us raise over £47,000 and know that this money will make a huge difference to families living with cancer. “

Alex Murdock from Cancer Fund for Children said the latest trek was very successful and thanked the team from the Henderson Group for their contribution.

“Our charity treks have always been very successful and it’s great when corporate partners, such as the Henderson Group, buy into these expeditions and support our fundraising efforts.  This year’s team from the Henderson Group made a phenomenal contribution both in terms of monies raised but also for their enthusiasm and commitment to the charity and the time spent overseas.

“We are already planning our next trek and I would encourage anyone interested in setting themselves a challenge while also making a valuable difference to the work we carry out, to get in touch and learn more about what we can offer.”

Cancer Fund for Children has been the official charity partner of EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA stores across Northern Ireland since 2011 and to date, the network of stores has raised more than £1million for the charity.

To find out more about Cancer Fund for Children or to become involved in their fundraising activity, visit www.cancerfundforchidlren.com .

 

Main image caption – Henderson Group staff Toni Downing, Mark Adrain alnd Michelle Dineen along with Darren Murray, Cancer Fund for Children