Chelsea staff go heart to heart
11 June 2007
Chelsea staff are wearing their heart on their sleeves by getting involved in two major fundraisers for British Heart Foundation - a sponsored canoe trip and the BHF's London to Brighton Bike Ride.
Two teams of staff at Chelsea Building Society in Cheltenham are going heart to heart to raise money for its staff charity of the year, the British Heart Foundation, during its Help a Heart campaign throughout June.
On 16 June a team of 9 staff from Chelsea's IT department are embarking on a 13 mile sponsored canoe trip down the River Wye to Symonds Yat. The trip can take up to 7 hours to complete, but the team hopes to complete the route in 3-4 hours, so it really will get their hearts racing! The canoeists have already smashed their £1,000 target and hope to raise even more.
'We had all thought about ways in which we could raise money for our staff charity of the year as a team. Last year we went climbing, so this year we thought we'd go one stage further and go canoeing' said Steveland Daniels, a member of the canoeing team. 'We're all looking forward to it and hope we can complete the trip in the time we want to. Should people wish to sponsor us they can do online at www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/chelseacanoe or by calling 01242 28 3657.'
In another heartfelt challenge, a team of Chelsea staff are taking part in the BHF's London to Brighton Bike Ride the following day, 17 June 2007. The bike riders are made up of staff from the across the organisation. The five strong team named 'Chelsea Racers' are cycling the 54 miles from London to Brighton. Speaking about the bike ride, Emma Pierce said 'I'm sure we have all known someone who has suffered with heart problems which makes it all the more important. We have been training for a little while but this is the biggest bike ride any of us have taken part in.'
The cyclists also hope to break their £1,000 target and should anyone wish to sponsor the Chelsea Racers team, donations can be made online at www.bhf.org.uk/sponsor/chelsearacers or by calling Mark on 07738 221569.
Staff at Chelsea Building Society hope to smash the amount they raised for last years staff charity of the year where they raised £20,000. A campaign has been run in its offices for the past couple of months so staff have their awareness of British Heart Foundation raised.
To arrange a photo of the Chelsea British Heart Foundation teams please contact Vicki O'Connell on 01242 271466 or 07774 169535 or Susie Ratcliffe on 01242 271332 or 07739 821356.
Notes
- British Heart Foundation is a registered charity number 225971
- Chelsea Building Society is the UK's 6th largest building society with assets of over £11bn
- Chelsea Building Society is one of the largest employers in Gloucestershire and the Southwest
- Chelsea's local branch is at 137 High Street, Cheltenham
For press enquiries please contact Susie Ratcliffe on 01242 271332 or 07739 821356.
Visit www.chelseacares.co.uk for further media information about Chelsea.
