Hospice benefits from spinathon

WELLNESS Wednesday on September 16, at the Barclays Towers West atrium in the Johannesburg CBD, saw 128 cyclists sweat it out in a Spinathon Bonanza in support of the Africa Group Finance Director Functions (GFDF) Dynamic Working Campaign and Stepping Stone Hospice and Care Services.

The Wattbike team sprint challenge involved 32 teams of four competing to cover the furthest distance in 60 minutes. Barclays Africa Group Leadership (BAGL) and GFDF exco teams together with celebrity professional road cyclist Arran Brown challenged their GFDF colleagues.

Barclays Africa is the main sponsor of the Barclays Africa/Stepping Stone Hospice Cycling Team in the upcoming 947 Momentum Cycle Challenge on November 15. The hospice team in this year Momentum 947 Cycle Challenge is 100 cyclists strong. Thirty-eight of these 100 cyclists are Absa staff members and three BAGL exco members.

Gerhard Henning, vice-president of the Absa Technical Advisory Group and one of the organisers of Wednesday’s Spinathon, was the 100th team entry.

Henning together with Jason Quinn, head of finance at Barclays, and one of the riders in the 2014 and 2015 Barclays Africa/Stepping Stone Hospice 947 Cycling Team, organized the Spinathon to raise further funds and create awareness for the chosen charity. No less than R40 000 was raised through this effort.

“I am humbled by the overwhelming support to our cause. It is amazing to see how many of the Barclays staff members have thrown their weight behind us and we are forever grateful. Our best wishes to the Barclays Africa/Stepping Stone Hospice Cycling Team in this year’s race. Be assured that we will be there to support you all the way,” said CEO of Stepping Stone Hospice, Tersia Burger.