MEMBERS of a Tadley-based business have cycled 300 miles to raise money for charity after a former member of staff sadly died of Sarcoma.

Anesco Limited, based at The Green, Easter Park, raised the money for Sarcoma UK in memory of Sean Gannon, a former employee. Sean lost his battle with the lesser-known form of cancer on Christmas Day in 2021. 

In fond memory of Sean, work friends organised a charity bike ride from their most northern site in Carlisle to the Anesco head office.

Sean's wife, Kate Gannon, chose Sarcoma UK as the charity which would benefit from any money raised by the bike ride. 

READ MORE: Anesco Limited set to begin 300 mile cycle for Sarcoma UK

Basingstoke Gazette: The team cycled 300 miles from Carlisle to TadleyThe team cycled 300 miles from Carlisle to Tadley (Image: Anesco, canva)

The group cycled 300 miles, starting the cycle on June 8 before reaching the finishing line on June 13.

Members of staff at the office greeted the cyclists and also did their part in the fundraising, putting on a delicious cake sale with ice creams to enjoy in the warm weather.

The cyclists raised £5,000 through their GoFundMe page, and a further £300 was raised through cake and ice cream sales. 

CEO of Anesco, Hildagarde McCarville, said: “The outpouring of feeling from Anesco employees in relation to a former colleague show what a remarkable person he must have been.

"What’s clear to see is what a meaningful uplifting and lasting impression he has made on colleagues and those who knew him."

HR director, Teresa Winchester, said: "A huge amount of time, effort and organisation has gone into making this happen and all our employees across the business have got involved. Our overwhelming thanks to our cyclists who have cycled from Carlisle to Tadley, in a heatwave no less."

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Sean's sister, Kayliegh Gannon, said: “Sean worked here before becoming unwell, and sadly he passed away on Christmas Day 2021. It's been hard, of course, for the family, but the company have been fantastic - the way they treated him was as if he had been working here for 20 years.

Basingstoke Gazette: Ice creams, bought by the company, and cakes were also on sale to raise funds on the day for Sarcoma UKIce creams, bought by the company, and cakes were also on sale to raise funds on the day for Sarcoma UK (Image: Anesco, canva)

"The company decided to do the sponsored ride in honour of Sean to donate to Sarcoma UK, and they kept to their word. The amount of people who wanted to do something to remember Sean is testament to the great character he was, and we as a family can't say thank you enough for the way they treated him when he was ill, and the way they have been with the family ever since. We all loved our SLG (Sean Lee Gannon)."

To donate to the team, go to gofundme.com/f/anescos-for-sean-charity-cycle-ride.