Air Partner colleagues embarked on a journey from Gatwick to Paris on Thursday, June 8th, to cycle a collective 15,000km to raise funds for cancer charities in honour of three colleagues lost to cancer.
The funds will help support, Worldwide Cancer Research, Macmillan Cancer Support and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with potentially life-changing care and research.
Having already raised £75,000, the initiative marks a milestone in Air Partner’s ongoing fundraising journey and demonstrates collaboration between aviation industry leaders with widespread support from sponsors, including Emirates SkyCargo, National Airlines, STAjets, and Qatar Executive. GGT Worldwise, Worldwide Jet, Challenge Group, and Teesside International Airport have also joined in backing Air Partner’s fundraising efforts.
To complete the challenge, sixty members of Air Partner’s team will cycle over 300km each across three days in memory of colleagues lost to cancer. The team’s route will encompass Sussex, the Normandy countryside and the River Seine, leading them to finish at the Eiffel Tower on Saturday 10th June.
Helen Zollinger, Events and Community Manager at Worldwide Cancer Research, inaugurated the initiative by cutting the ribbon and expressed her gratitude, stating, “It was such an honour to cut the ribbon at the starting line of this remarkable cycling journey this morning, and we are so immensely grateful to everyone involved for choosing to raise crucial funds for cancer charities.
“Air Partner’s commitment to supporting cancer research aligns with our mission to fund pioneering projects around the world that have the potential to transform lives. Initiatives like this bring us closer to a day when no life is cut short by cancer.”
With family and friends showcasing their support at the starting line, Kayh Ribeiro, Account Manager at Air Partner, said: “When I was ten years old, my aunt was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She spent most of her life battling different health issues and passed away at the beginning of the pandemic at 44 years old.
“Despite being blind and cared for by my grandmother, she was one of the smartest humans I have ever met. She was a top student at school and even travelled around Boston on the train alone because she had memorised all the routes.
“Her quality of life was made possible by the unwavering dedication of charities, hospitals, and research. This bike ride is my tribute to honour both my aunt and the colleagues we have lost to this disease.”
As Air Partner colleagues conquer this incredible challenge, the aviation group will continue its fundraising efforts both during the journey and beyond, to complete its goal of raising £100,000 for this life-changing cause.
