ENERGY-WORKERS cycled around the Midlands in a bid to raise cash and celebrate 10 years of supporting Macmillan.

As one of 10 '10 for 10' fundraising events to mark the anniversary between npower and the cancer care charity, seven cyclists rode out on the 62-mile round trip from the company's Oldbury offices visiting its Worcester and Solihull bases.

Simon Homer, an energy services specialists at the Bridgwater Road, Warndon, offices joined the other riders from Oldbury on his father's birthday, who was suffering with cancer, to build on the £1,395 he had already raised by rowing the English Channel on another npower challenge.

He said: “Whenever I can, I like to give something back to Macmillan. It was great to laugh and motivate each other to reach the finish line.”

“The cycle took place on my father’s birthday, and he is terminally ill and currently receiving help from Macmillan nurses. This is my way of saying thank you to Macmillan for their nurses and the information they provide, as they’ve been invaluable to my family.”

Sean Colin, Amy Botfish, Matt Bingham, Andy Flavell, Zafran Ali, Mo Yehia, and Mr Homer were part of the energy giant's bid to raise £150,000 this year in the '10 for 10' campaign, which aims to support people affected by cancer who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Clare McDougall, head of community at npower, said "Often, cancer and its treatment can result in people feeling the cold more and, because they may need to put the heating on more often, this can potentially put them at risk of fuel poverty.

“Jointly with Macmillan, npower has created a Fuel Management Programme to help people affected by cancer who are struggling to pay their energy bills. We hope that the scheme helps to alleviate some of the pressures faced by people affected by cancer at such an important time, so they can keep warm without the worry.”

Part of the money that was raised from the cycle and the rest of the '10 for 10' events will also go towards funding new energy advisors on the Macmillan Support Line, who will support people affected by cancer.

For more details on the Fuel Management Programme, call the Macmillan Support Line free on 0808 8080000. Or, for more information on npower’s '10 for 10', visit npower.com/macmillan.