Hitachi Capital’s elite cycling squad, Team Hitachi400, has presented The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital charity with a cheque for GBP33,000 following a gruelling four-day cycle from the UK to France.
After vigorous training in the months before the 14-man team were waved off by staff from Hitachi Capital’s offices in Staines-Upon-Thames on Thursday 20 September. Over the course of the four days, the team cycled 400 miles crossing the channel and finished their marathon journey in Bordeux on Sunday 23 September.
Progress was continuously tracked from day one via Hitachi Capital’s social media pages, where hundreds of messages of support – as well as generous donations – were received by the fundraising team.
Representatives from the Hitachi 2018 Cycling Team presented the fundraising cheque to Harefield Hospital on Monday 19 November. The cheque was presented to the Director of Transplantation, Andre Simon and other members of the hospital charity team.
The charity holds a special place in the hearts of Hitachi Capital’ staff. In 2013 the transplant team at The Harefield Hospital performed life-changing surgery on Vanessa Tedbury, a much-loved and respected member of the team at Hitachi Capital. The surgery – a first in the medical history books – came after several years of treatment to manage symptoms of her idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (PH), which she had been diagnosed with in 2005. After a demanding recovery, Vanessa returned home six months after being admitted to hospital. Very soon afterwards, she was back at work and remains an active and valued member of the Hitachi Capital team.
Gavin Wraith-Carter, Managing Director at Hitachi Capital Business Finance, commented: “Raising funds for The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital charity has been worth every blister as our cyclists did their bit to support the amazing work the hospital does in saving lives. The team’s desire to raise money was inspired by Vanessa’s story and we hope our fundraising can also support others in the community.
“We’d like to thank all those that supported our cycle ride, allowing our team to raise an incredible GBP33,000. The ride was great fun and a real experience for those involved, along with a few aches and pains – but the end goal was worth it. Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital charity’s will always be close to our hearts at Hitachi Capital and we hope to continually support the great work they do in the future.”
