Tesco colleagues raised £23,589 for Young Lives vs Cancer and Cancer Research UK after a 13-mile sponsored walk.

Staff from the retailer’s stores across Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire completed the challenge around Rutland Water and the surrounding area as part of a companywide initiative across the Midlands to raise money for Cancer Research UK and several local charities chosen by colleagues.

Tesco store manager and regional community lead Lisa Lewis-Fowkes said: “As a group of colleagues we have worked extremely hard to raise much-needed funds for Young Lives vs Cancer and Cancer Research UK.

“Our store community champions worked tirelessly over recent weeks, raising money through in-store events. Dozens of colleagues turned up to walk the 13-mile route around Rutland Water. We couldn’t be prouder of our team for going the extra mile and raising money for two fantastic causes that help so many people across the Midlands and beyond.”

Fundraising engagement manager for Young Lives vs Cancer Lucy Fisher added: “It is amazing that the team at Tesco have chosen to support Young Lives vs Cancer by taking on this incredible challenge. April marks Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month and fundraising activities such as this help us to raise vital funds and awareness to help more young people and their families face the practical and emotional challenges of Cancer.”

The colleagues involved in the walk will be splitting the money equally between Young Lives vs Cancer and Cancer Research UK, one of Tesco’s main charity partners.

Head of partners at Cancer Research UK Eve Mitchell said: “On behalf of everyone at Cancer Research UK, I wanted to say a huge thank you to [all the Tesco stores/everyone at name of individual store] colleagues for supporting our lifesaving research by taking part in this walk.  The money you raised will move progress forward towards a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Step by step, day by day, our researchers are making this vision a reality, but we couldn’t do it without you.”