Hillier Hopkins “virtual travellers” raise £12,000!

More than 100 employees from leading chartered accountancy firm Hillier Hopkins LLP have run, walked, cycled or swam from Land's End to John O'Groats in March without visiting either place.

In fact, they comfortably exceeded the normal 603 miles straight-line distance several times over!

They were raising money for the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund by “virtually” travelling from the UK's two furthermost communities during two weeks of activity. Participants' contributions were collated by syncing various fitness apps onto a virtual challenge online platform. The adventure finished with a two day “bikeathon” in Hillier Hopkins Watford head office when employees took it in shifts to smash the target.

Their incredible efforts resulted in raising more than £6,000 for our charity. And as a super bonus the principals of Hillier Hopkins decided to add a donation from the company – making a grand total of £11,881!

The event was masterminded by audit manager Leena Tailor who felt she wanted to do something to support a colleague who is undergoing treatment at the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit at Stoke Mandeville.

Around half of Hillier Hopkins' employees – at their Watford, London and Milton Keynes offices – took part, including most of the company's top team. Employees from the London office undertook a seven mile bicycle ride around Hyde Park, while many individuals found creative ways of rising to the challenge!

Chair of Trustees for CCHF, Dr Ann Watson, said: “I watched with a growing sense of amazement the daily achievements of the employees of Hillier Hopkins throughout their two-week virtual challenge. The way that so many people have joined in so enthusiastically to raise money for our charity, and to support their own colleague who is going through cancer treatment, is truly humbling. Congratulations to everyone involved!”

It was a case of déjà vu for one Watford employee. Back in April 1998 Hillier Hopkins Principal Richard Malone (pictured above, right, doing his Bikeathon stint with colleague Simon Speller) undertook a marathon golf challenge to raise money for the campaign to build a dedicated cancer treatment unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, near Aylesbury (now known as the Cancer Care and Haematology Unit). He successfully played a total of 60 holes of golf at four courses across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Richard's efforts paid off 25 years ago with the new centre being opened in 2001.

The virtual challenge has been a stunning success for CCHF, but it has also proved a great initiative for all who work at Hillier Hopkins, with everyone going the extra mile for the charity and displaying plenty of friendly rivalry and competitiveness in the process!

Hillier Hopkins began life in 1933 as Lewis Hillier & Co, accountants, in Luton, before founder John Hillier was joined by Len Hopkins and the firm became Hillier Hopkins & Co. Over its 90 year history Hillier Hopkins has grown to become one of the top 50 firms in the UK with more than 200 staff and has a long history of supporting charitable causes and the local community.

The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund is a charity set up to help those diagnosed with cancer and haematology based diseases and being treated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. Through public fundraising a specialist unit – the CCHU - was built and opened in January 2001 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The charity continues to provide financial support for projects which benefit patients cared for at the CCHU, the Sunrise Unit in Wycombe Hospital and in community settings across Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties.

Cash is raised by donations from a generous public and the charity is managed by a team of trustees and volunteers who give their time for free so that as much money as possible benefits the support and comfort of patients.