QTS Cambois staff complete 100-mile charity cycle for £80,000 fundraising drive
Colleagues from QTS data centre in Cambois have taken on the Hadrian's Wall Coast-to-Coast Charity Cycle Ride.
Over September 9 – 10, colleagues rode approximately 100 miles from Workington on the Cumbrian coast to Cambois in Northumberland.
The two-day challenge traced the line of Hadrian's Wall through some of the North East’s most historic and scenic landscapes, before finishing at the QTS campus.
More than 40 riders took part from QTS, Fortivum, Arcadis, Cundall, John Paul Construction and Winthrop Technologies.
Proceeds will be shared between The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which supports cancer research and treatment in the North East, and The Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle.
QTS and its partners are contributing £80,000 in total to the two charities, with further funds raised through rider sponsorship.
Simon Caron, Vice President of International Construction, QTS Data Centres said: "Rallying people from QTS, NCC, Fortivum and our partner network for a 100-mile cycle is all about making a real difference locally.
"We are deeply committed to Cambois, and we are immensely proud to support the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Great North Children's Hospital - two brilliant charities doing vital work in this community."
Shelley Brunsdon, corporate fundraising lead at Newcastle Hospital Charity said: “Support like this makes a huge difference to patients and their families. We’re hugely grateful to all the riders for taking on such a demanding challenge on our behalf.”
Riders wore a custom jersey designed by local schoolchildren. Levi Todd of Newsham Primary School and Euan Bell of Bede Academy were named winners of the jersey design competition, which received 28 entries from schools across the area.
The final jersey brought together elements of both winning designs, drawing on Northumberland landmarks including Hadrian's Wall and Sycamore Gap. Each winner received a £100 voucher, a new bicycle, and both schools received £500 of art supplies.
The ride concluded as QTS progresses plans for one of the UK’s most significant data centre campuses at Cambois, following outline planning approval from Northumberland County Council.
The development is said to support 1,200 long-term construction jobs and 400 operational jobs.