Following the success of Cambridge Building Society's 2007 annual staff charity event 'Tour de Branch', £6,000 has been presented to three local charities.

Stephen Mitcham, the Society's Chief Executive presented the cheques at the Society's Head Office in Newmarket Road, on Thursday 29th November.

The money raised will help support three locally based charities - Sue Ryder Care, OWL (Opportunities Without Limits) and the Cambridgeshire Bobby Scheme - each with their own specific fundraising appeals.


Stephen Mitcham presents the charities with their cheques at a presentation at the Society's Head Office.

Sue Ryder Care helps people with a wide range of neurological diseases and life-limiting illnesses, and funds raised by Tour de Branch will go to The Old Palace in Ely, which provides residential and respite care for 42 adults living with conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Huntingdon's disease and acquired brain injuries.

Kevin Clements from Sue Ryder Care said:

"We are really grateful to Cambridge Building Society for their support. Their £2,000 will cover two weeks of full care for one of our residents which is fantastic."

OWL creates work, learning and leisure opportunities for disadvantaged people in and around Sawston, and helps them to provide a number of services to their local community.

Gill Riley, from Opportunities Without Limits said:

"Thankyou so much for this. Our students have decided to spend the money on a coach trip to the Norfolk coast next Summer. They will also be able to purchase DIY equipment for their workshop with this money, which will improve the quality of service they provide within the local community."

The Cambridgeshire Bobby Scheme provides practical support to elderly burglary victims and those at high risk of burglary, in the Cambridgeshire area.

Tony Nicholls of the Scheme said:

"We are totally overwhelmed. This is fantastic. The money raised will make a real difference to elderly people in the area, as it will protect them from burglary and make them feel safer in their homes."

The Tour de Branch took place on Sunday 16th September 2007 and involved 33 cyclists and 68 walkers covering a variety of routes accross the Society's local branch network. A further 41 people manned branch water stations for the cyclists and walkers on route or helped out at Head Office. In total 1,064 miles were covered by Cambridge Building Society staff and their families on the day.

The money was raised through a variety of fundraising activities including individual and corporate sponsorship, and a contribution from the Society. Each of the company's 23 branches also ran a Treasure Hunt, inviting their customers to find the lucky grid reference on a map showing the Tour de Branch route. Three bikes were recently presented to the winners, and the runners up received a cycle helmet and a cycling accessory pack.

The lucky bike winners were Alex Parkinson from Cheveley, Newmarket; Maddy Crouchman from Earith and Mr Carter from Godmanchester. They all won a brand new bike, cycle helmet and light. The competition was kindly supported by Ben Haywards Cycles in Trumpington Street.

Commenting on the success of the event, Marketing Assistant Miranda Steel said:

"Our sixth Tour de Branch was a real success. Since 2002, staff taking part in this event have walked and cycled a total of 9,340 miles, raising £50,000 for a variety of local charities.

"We are very grateful to local businesses for helping support this event, and in particular to Ben Hayward Cycles who kindly pledged their time and support."