90 employees from Hastings Hotels have completed a ‘March Forward’ challenge in aid of Action Cancer and in doing so have walked, run or cycled over 30,000 Kilometres in total, equivalent to the distance from Belfast to Australia and back, and have raised £10,000 in one month.

Staff from the group’s seven hotels took part to help raise awareness and vital funds which will stay in Northern Ireland to help support local people.

Patrice McGurk, Business Development Manager of Hastings Hotels said: “We are proud to have been able to complete this momentous challenge and support the vital work Action Cancer carries out to save lives and support people affected by cancer throughout Northern Ireland. A massive thank you to our fabulous team of 90 colleagues for taking part and doing their very best to reach their targets and help us raise much-needed money for this fantastic charity.

We would definitely encourage other organisations to think about taking part in a similar fundraising challenge as it’s great for staff bonding whilst raising money for a great cause. We created a Hasting Hotels club on the Strava app and it was a great way of keeping in touch with colleagues, watching their progress, getting competitive and spurring each other on to reach our targets together.”

Lucy McCusker, Corporate Fundraising Manager of Action Cancer commented: “We are absolutely thrilled at the amount of money raised by the staff from Hastings Hotels and also indebted to their families and friends for the support they offered with the 'March Forward' campaign. This fantastic amount of £10,000 goes a long way towards ensuring Action Cancer can continue to provide lifesaving early detection, prevention and support services right across our local communities. We are so proud of all of our corporate partners and teaming up with the wonderful employees at the Hastings Group has been fantastic, such an energetic and enthusiastic bunch! Thank you!"