C&C are supporting ‘On Yer Bike for Brain Tumours’ in memory of their colleague Paul Halfpenny – ‘an amazing, fun-loving man’ – who was tragically diagnosed with brain cancer and died last year.
Paul was at C&C Insurance Brokers for 15 years, becoming one of the longest serving employees, and will be remembered at the 2015 fundraising ‘On Yer Bike for Brain Tumours’ spinning class challenge – a gruelling 24-hour session of back-to-back spinning classes from 9pm on Friday 27th February, which would have been Paul’s 38th birthday, to 9pm on Saturday 28th at the Pilates Studio in Glossop.
Malcolm Cooke, MD at C&C remembers Paul affectionately:
“Nothing was ever too much trouble for Paul. He was the ultimate gentleman, ultimate friend, ultimate colleague and the most popular member of staff ever.
“As one of the longest serving employees, Paul was instrumental in laying the foundations and culture of what C&C is today, and for that we will all be forever in his gratitude.
“We moved into new additional premises recently on Compstall Road and renamed the building Halfpenny House as a lasting tribute to our much missed friend and colleague.”
Paul was passionate about raising awareness of this cruel condition which is the biggest cancer killer of the under 40s. The idea to initiate the fundraising spinning challenge came from Paul and he was its most enthusiastic participant, holding the first event in 2012 when dozens of friends, family, work colleagues and members of the local community joined Paul’s fundraising event, since raising more than £30,000 for Brain Tumour Research.
Abigayle Hudson from C&C’s Personal Lines Department will be taking to a bike this year. She said:
“We already have 10 people from the organisation involved, ranging from bucket shakers to bike riders. This year is obviously going to be a tough one without Paul rallying us on, so we need to get together, get signed up and make this year even more special as we will be celebrating the life of our dear friend Paul.”
Paul’s wife Jen said:
“On Yer Bike 2015 will be a celebration of Paul’s incredible enthusiasm for a good time and his ability to bring people together to do just that.
Paul’s story is not unique – around 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year. But the only way other families will ever hear the words we longed for: ‘there is a cure’ is through research moving forward. Brain tumour research is massively underfunded receiving just 1% of national cancer research spending and Paul was determined to help change that. Please think about getting involved or support us with your sponsorship so that Paul’s legacy brings hope for the future of all those diagnosed with a brain tumour. ”
Carol Robertson, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research, said:
“Paul was such an inspiration to so many, spurring on his local community to raise thousands at the previous two On Yer Bike events – an incredible achievement. I know this year’s event will be very emotional remembering such an amazing man.
“We need to raise £7 million per year in order to achieve our mission of establishing seven successful research centres across the UK and to set the stage for finding a cure for brain tumours in the next decade. We can only achieve this through the support of fundraisers like those who knew and loved Paul.”
For more information about the event go to http www.onyerbikeforbraintumours.com/ or to sponsor the event visit www.justgiving.com/teams/onyerbikeforbraintumours2015
For more information about the charity visit www.braintumourresearch.org and keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook and Twitter.