Charity News

PTS peddles from Vietnam to Cambodia in aid of Cancer Research UK

23 April 2012

After cycling 50 miles a day in the sweltering heat, a team from leading merchant PTS has raised a staggering £14,402.90 for Cancer Research UK.

Starting in Ho Chi Minh City on 27th January, the team of Tim Parsons (Assistant Branch Manager of PTS Chichester), Paul Widger (Branch Manager of PTS Fareham) and Paul's son Paul Widger Jnr, set off on the 500km route to Angkor Wat.

The journey was full of challenges but the team also had the opportunity to spread the PTS name by handing out branded pencils, t-shirts and trainers at villages they cycled through.

Tim Parsons, part of the fundraising team, commented: "The seven day bike ride was the biggest physical challenge of my life but the accomplishment of raising over £14,000 made it all worthwhile.

"We had to get over some difficult hurdles including making up some time after a delay to our original flight and a temperature of 40 degrees, but moments such as spending time with local villagers along the way made it a unique and memorable experience."

The boys and their family ran various activities before the trip to boost the fundraising total including sponsored fancy dress days, car boot sales and collections on their local high street. The boys had personal inspiration for completing the challenge as Paul sadly lost both his mother in law and brother in law to cancer in recent years.

PTS has been working with Cancer Research UK since the start of 2011.