#Km4Cancer – Shropshire Council’s IT team go around the world for Cancer Research 

The ICT team at Shropshire Council have travelled 25,000km of their around the world trip to raise money for Cancer Research UK. #Km4Cancer has seen the team travel virtually across the globe after losing one of their colleagues to cancer in May 2020. 

KM4Cancer

Travelling by foot, bike, rowing boat, exercise bike, or anything that requires physical effort, the team set out on their 53–day attempt on 1 July and have been racking up the kilometres ever since.   

Andrew Boxall

Andrew Boxall, Shropshire Council’s head of technology, said:  

“We wanted to do something for charity after losing our friend and colleague Andrew Bennett to cancer. Andrew had many passions and a notable one was his love of trains, so when we found an around the world train journey we decided to attempt the same distance over the same period – which seemed sensible at the time

We’re now 15 days from finishing, and hope to achieve a far greater distance as we’ve been promised more donations if we can go further. The team have been amazing as we’re fitting our kilometres around busy work and home lives, so it’s been fantastic that we’ve been able to travel so far.”

The team track the distance travelled on their smartphones or built-in measuring devices and submit totals regularly to a central tracking system. A dashboard showing their location around the globe has been created to show where they would have been if this were an actual around the world trip, which you can find on the dedicated webpage – http://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-council/km4cancer/ 

The team have received donations from technology companies such as Nutanix and Sophos. Other companies have committed to donations totalling several thousand if the team can achieve a greater number of kilometres, particularly Hitachi Solutions and Liquid Logic. 

Michele Leith, Shropshire Council’s director of workforce and transformation, said: 

“It’s been a fantastic effort by the team, and I’ve enjoyed doing my bit. In these times of home working, it’s easy to stay seated for a long period, and this gives a real incentive to get out and about. I’d like to thank all those who have already donated and urge anyone who can to please donate: the messages coming through on the donations page really motivate us to keep going, so thank you.”

Andrew Bennett, who sadly died in May 2020

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for organisational transformation and digital infrastructure, said: 

“I’ve been on my exercise bike and road bike, adding my totals to this fantastic effort which has become surprisingly competitive! Cancer Research is one of many charities that have had their funding slow in recent times and it’s great to be doing something to support them. We don’t need to emphasise the importance of tackling cancer as a lot of people will have been affected, but please consider sponsoring this great effort if you can – it really does mean a lot to the team, who have literally gone the extra mile in memory of their colleague and friend.”

There are currently 94 members of the Shropshire Council ICT team taking part, with each person aiming to travel at least 46km each week – with most aiming for significantly more. The youngest participants are in their late teens, with the eldest not wishing to share their age but noting, “old enough that this challenge has not been great for my knees” (anon).  

You can keep up to date with the KM4Cancer challenge via the Shropshire Council social media accounts and on the dedicated webpage – http://shropshire.gov.uk/shropshire-council/km4cancer/ 

You can also make a donation here https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/km4cancer. 

Abbie Sylvester getting her steps in at Kynance Kove

Julie Edwards is one of the council’s software specialists and has travelled the furthest for the challenge, completing over 1,100km so far

Julie Edwards

Chris Warrender is the council’s lead security specialist and has been visiting some of Shropshire’s stately homes and walks to get his kilometres in

Katie Dawson’s son Evan and dog Sabine have accompanied mum on their walks for KM4Cancer. Katie is one of the team’s specialist IT trainers.

Lynda Smith is an integration and database specialist, amongst many areas of expertise. Lynda worked with Andrew for 20 years and has been one of many staff who were keen to show their support for KM4Cancer in his memory.

Jonathan Fraser is an IT infrastructure engineer who has consistently cycled over 20km each day for KM4Cancer, whilst enjoying the beautiful Shropshire countryside

Shropshire countryside

Nathan Hoare is a software specialist focussing on technologies used by residents to access services. Nathan got his bike out for KM4Cancer to get the kilometres up, and has been doing above and beyond his bit for the challenge ever since.

Chris Warrender, Julie Edwards, Lynda Smith and Rob Gallagher went up the Long Mynd to get some kilometres (socially distancing of course)

Call Andrew Boxall for more info – 01743 254798 or email andrew.boxall@shropshire.gov.uk