SUPERMARKET staff are going the extra mile to raise funds for cancer care.
Tesco workers in Beverley are joining forces with colleagues across the UK to take part in a £1m festive fundraising weekend.
All Tesco stores, head offices and distribution centres are taking part in the Cycle To Lapland challenge that will raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Dave Ryley, community champion at the Beverley store in Morton Lane, said: "Cancer Research UK is Tesco's charity of the year.
"Tesco has set a target of raising £10m and this weekend is one of the biggest fundraising events.
"Every Tesco site will be taking part and the idea is each one has to clock up the same number of miles as there are from Britain to Lapland – 2,200."
The store has been loaned two cycle machines from SGB Fitness in Beverley and the bikes, as well as the collection buckets, will be in the foyer.
Mr Ryley said: "I'll be having a go myself, everyone at the store will be taking turns. It helps us build family spirit in the store."
The money raised by Tesco, its staff, customers and suppliers, will help fund 32 vital early diagnosis research projects across the UK.
Tesco and Cancer Research UK will also be working together to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of cancer, reduce people's anxiety about the disease and encourage them to visit the doctor if they notice anything unusual.
It is hoped that will help more people survive cancer and keep more families together.
Every two minutes, someone in the UK is told they have cancer. Money from Cycle To Lapland will help support research into earlier diagnosis and detection to help more people survive and keep families together longer.
Tesco is also supporting the initiative in other ways. For example, a donation of 0.0125p will be made by Tesco Personal Finance PLC every time a cash machine is used at Tesco until the end of February.
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity and has been at the heart of progress that has seen survival rates in the UK double in the past 40 years.
Since 1988, Tesco has chosen a different charity every year to be the focus for staff fundraising.
The Tesco Charity Trust tops up staff fundraising by 20 per cent up to a maximum of £500,000.
Mr Ryley said: "We're reaching out to our community to support cancer research.
"Across all Tescos, we're hoping to raise £1m this weekend."
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work, visit www.cancerresearchuk.org or call 0300 1231861.
