Council Cancer Challenge raises more than £11k at half-way point

The Council Cancer Challenge has raised over £11,000 for Cancer Research UK at the half-way point – more than double the original target - and donations continue to pour in.

More than 130 Council staff are walking, running and cycling their way to raise funds for the cancer charity. Teams have smashed the original distance of 229 miles/373km – the length of priority 1 roads in Orkney looked after by the Council – with several battling for top spot. At the moment there’s just a few km in it. Payroll & Pensions have just nipped into 1st place with 1240.3km but hot on their heels are 2nd placed Puffin Puffers at 1234km and Just off the Couch with 1155.2km, Hatston Muppets at 1132km, OHAC Stompers at 1094.9km and Susan’s Striders at 1031.7km.

Despite reaching the target distance, as you can see most teams have opted to continue to see just how far they can get over the six-week challenge period which ends on Monday 8 August.

Al Holmes, the Council’s Team Leader Operations, Neighbourhood Services, has been keeping an eye on the distance league table.

He says: “Currently we have 39 teams with 132 active participants and the combined distance total is coming up on 25,000km or 33,169,893 steps in total. So, going by current progress, the collective distance accumulated at the end of the 6-week challenge has increased from the initial 42,000km estimate to an unbelievable 48,000km, showing that everyone involved is really piling in the miles and exercise.

“The original estimate was Kirkwall to Papatowai in New Zealand, then back to Kirkwall, then onwards to Bangladesh. With the current progress we may even get back to Papatowai again! An incredible achievement from 132 dedicated souls, and all involved should be immensely proud.”

There’s also a raffle running alongside the distance challenge. Local businesses and the general public have come on board with very generous donations continuing to be given.

The idea for the challenge came about after staff member, Inga Antonio’s sister was diagnosed with cancer. Inga contacted work colleague and cancer survivor Lorraine Stout in the OIC Press Office, and she was able to help get the event off the ground.

They have been overwhelmed by the ongoing support that has the total sitting at £11,175.25 with Gift Aid.

Inga, an administrative assistant for Development and Infrastructure, said: “It’s hard to put into words just how delighted we are to have more than doubled our original target at the half-way point. But that’s Orkney generosity for you – even in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis businesses and individuals are still willing to give. We cannot thank everyone enough for their support.”

Lorraine added: “The challenge has been so important, not just because it’s raising vital funds for research, but also to get staff together again following the pandemic and doing something that is good for both the body and mind. It feels great to be exercising again and knowing that the effort is for a brilliant cause.

“We have been blown away by the donations to the fund and also the offers of prizes for the raffle. They come in on a daily basis – it’s going to take quite some time to draw the winners’ names out on 15 August!”

Donations can be made at orkney.gov.uk/donate