December 2007

ABERDEEN FINANCIAL FIRM ADDS UP TO CHARITY SUCCESS

A team of financial specialists from The Acumen Group - a leading financial and business services company - has put pedal power to great use to raise more than £5,000 for charity in a mammoth international cycle challenge.

Amateur cyclists Mervyn Stanley and Steve Mitchell from The Acumen Group and Alasdair McGill from GHRL, which works closely with Acumen, cycled from London to Paris as part of an event organised to benefit Breast Cancer Care. The annual cycle challenge saw them cover more than 300 miles during four days as part of a group of more than 50 cyclists. In total the Group have raised more than £125,000 so far for the charity.

The trio set off from London and travelled through some fantastic scenery including the battlefields of the Somme and Agincourt in northern France before heading to the heart of the French capital round the Arc de Triompe and finally reaching the Eiffel Tower.

Mervyn Stanley, Group business development manager, at Acumen said: "This really was the challenge of a lifetime and we had a fantastic time taking part in this gruelling event. We’re delighted that we managed to raise so much money for such a worthwhile charity and are very, very, grateful to everyone who supported us.

"The cause is very close to everyone’s heart and there was a great camaraderie among all of the cyclists. As we rode into Paris along the banks of the Seine, our achievements suddenly hit home and it was quite humbling to realise that the money we had raised would help make a difference to cancer patients."

Mr Stanley and his team mates put themselves through a punishing regime in the six-months prior to the challenge to make sure they were ready for the 4 long days in the saddle.

"We put ourselves on a strict health and fitness plan to make sure we were able to complete the challenge. Despite being keen cyclists we knew that cycling 95 miles over the hills of Kent on day one would be a real challenge, particularly as we were time challenged to reach the Ferry at Dover. We were determined not to let any of our supporters and Sponsors down."

Breast Cancer Care provides support and information to those affected by breast cancer. The charity has been working for more than 30 years and offers accurate and easy to understand information, as well as practical and emotional support.