A TEAM from a Basingstoke business lived up to their name after raising a record-breaking five-figure sum for their charity of the year.

Staff at Champion Group donated an incredible £10,733.28 to Ark Cancer Centre Charity after taking part in various events and activities during 2018.

A charity golf day, fundraising bike ride, and cake bakes were just some of the ways that the members of the construction industry company raised the funds over the 12 months.

The 2018 company-wide Charity of the Year support followed on from individual backing that some members of the team have given to Ark since 2016.

A 24-strong group, featuring many of the staff, raised more than £40,000 in September 2016 by cycling from London to Brighton on a sponsored bike ride.

Director Perry Champion and group accountant Kevin Croombs are also leading members of the Arkriders – a group of cyclists who support Ark. They and colleagues Sam Champion and Paul Kent were among 34 riders who raised more than £60,000 for Ark in July 2017 by taking part in the Ark to Arc ride.

Champion Group managing director Barry Champion said the team are thrilled to have raised their highest-ever annual total for a charity.

Barry said: “We are a community-focused company where the team like to make a difference by raising funds for, and awareness of, local good causes.

“We are all delighted to have achieved what we have by supporting Ark’s campaign to help deliver this much-needed unique local cancer treatment centre, and we are grateful to our business contacts who have generously supported our fundraising campaign in 2018.

“We are proud of the area we live and work in, and we are proud to take an active part in community life from a corporate perspective and as individuals.”

The link between Champion Group and Ark is made even stronger by the fact that the company, based in Roentgen Road, Daneshill, is the major sponsor at Basingstoke Rugby Football Club, where Ark is the official charity of club president Dr Steve Tristram.

During 2018, Champion Group won the public vote in the Business and the Community category at the Basingstoke A Place To Be Proud Of Awards. The award recognised the company’s great support for Ark and other good causes in recent years.

Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee Merv Rees was delighted to receive the 2018 Charity of the Year cheque, and he thanked the Champion Group team for their great support.

“The Champion Group team have really made a big difference to Ark,” said Merv. “Support like this is crucial to local charities, and I am proud and honoured that the staff voted to support Ark in 2018.”

Several members of the team are continuing their individual support for Ark, in addition to getting involved in company-wide Charity of the Year fundraising for St Michael’s Hospice, in Basingstoke, during 2019.

Largely being funded by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), Ark’s £5m will ensure that a range of complementary therapies and supportive services are available alongside radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments in a calm and uplifting environment. The new cancer treatment centre will be built at Basingstoke hospital.