A leading environmental firm has joined the fight against the UK’s biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40.
Staff at Igne, a company that specialises in ground investigation and unexploded ordnance risk mitigation, which has its headquarters in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire, have raised £14,675 for Brain Tumour Research by taking on the Three Peaks Challenge.
Rob Hunter, CEO of Igne, said: “I’m incredibly proud of our Three Peaks challengers who took on this demanding trek to raise money, through sponsorship, for Brain Tumour Research.
“I’m very grateful to everyone across Igne, our suppliers and our friends who got behind them to support the cause.
“Thanks to everyone’s collective determination and generosity, we’ve smashed our £13,000 target and together we’ve raised enough to fund an entire week of vital brain tumour research.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement and one that speaks volumes about the heart and spirit of everyone at Igne.”
From an initial 47 Igne employees who entered the internal ballot to take part, 16 colleagues, located across 12 Igne offices throughout the UK, were successfully chosen. The team set off on 21 June to conquer Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales respectively, all in under 24 hours in a bid to help find a cure for brain cancer.
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Unfortunately, when the team reached Scafell Pike the weather conditions did not safely permit their full ascent and had to turn back halfway. Luckily weather conditions were better for their climb of Ben Nevis and Snowdon.
Among the team was Lisa Rae, a Project Manager, who works in Igne’s Hamilton office in Scotland, said: “The challenge was exhausting, surreal, and exhilarating all at once. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to do it, be physically able to take it on, and raise money for charity all in one go. I’m proud to have done it in memory of someone from our community and to prove to myself I could still take on something this tough.”
North-west Regional Manager, Dan Susnik, from Igne’s Warrington office said: “The outdoors has always been a constant in my life, so taking on this challenge for a cause so close to all of us at Igne felt deeply personal. It was a chance to reconnect with the mountains I love, support an important cause, and share something truly special with my colleagues.”
Katrina Jones, Head of Community and Digital Fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re deeply moved by the team at Igne and their determination to support our charity. Taking on the Three Peaks Challenge is no small feat, and raising over £14,500 is a truly remarkable achievement. Their support not only funds vital research but also helps to raise much-needed awareness of the devastation caused by brain tumours. It’s actions like this that bring us closer to our vision of finding a cure.”
Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
To support Igne’s fundraising campaign, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/igne3peaks