STAFF at a bingo club in Ashton-under-Lyne have been getting on their bikes to raise awareness and funds for a much-loved charity close to home.
Buzz Bingo club on Wellington Road raised a fantastic £2,023 by cycling 2,023km throughout 2023, in aid of The Anthony Seddon Fund.
The team of staff began the challenge with a marathon session at Tameside Cycle Circuit on Richmond Street in March, followed by another one in June.
They then took it in turns to complete the final distance on a static bike in the bingo club’s main hall.
Customers also generously donated to the fundraising goal, which will now support the hard work the charity does in the local area.
The peer support mental health charity provides a safe environment for anyone in the community who needs support, or simply someone to speak to.
Mike Bracken, General Manager, said the response to the fundraising has been “the most outstanding I’ve ever seen” in the 20 years he’s worked at Buzz Bingo Ashton.
He added: “The customers have supported this like no other – they even helped us raise an extra £200 on the day we presented the cheque to Donna and Brian from the charity!
“The work everyone does at The Anthony Seddon Fund is incredibly important to the community and we’re so pleased to be able to help raise awareness as well as funds.
“The team’s passion and dedication to completing the challenge has been exceptional, I’m so proud of them.”
The money was presented to the charity recently and will go towards helping the charity to continue providing a safe space for people with mental health issues in Tameside, as well as supporting their families, friends and carers.
Donna Thomas, Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Anthony Seddon Fund, commented: “We’re incredibly grateful to the team at Buzz Bingo Ashton and their wonderful customers for the money they’ve raised for The Anthony Seddon Fund.
“We’re dedicated to supporting mental wellbeing in our community and its fundraising challenges like this one that help us to continue this vital work.”