A TEAM from a Basingstoke business is preparing to trek 100km along the coast to raise money for a cause.

Staff from Unum, in Basing View, are taking part in the South Coast Challenge, walking non-stop from Eastbourne to Arundel in aid of Ark Cancer Centre Charity.

The insurance company chose to support the charity this year, and is also raising money in other ways including quizzes, raffles and cake sales.

Andy Brown, charity champion at Unum, said: “The challenge is new for all of the team and we will be looking to complete this in the best time possible. We can guarantee there will be plenty of aching limbs at the end but this will be a small price to pay for raising plenty of money for Ark Cancer Centre.”

Andy, 39, said the team will be taking part in practice walks ahead of the challenge in August, to improve their fitness and stamina.

The father-of-one added: “There is no doubt it’s going to be a huge challenge for all involved, and will really push us to our limits. But hopefully with some training and team bonding ahead of the big day we will feel prepared and ready to take it on. We hope lots of people will get behind us and sponsor us, as that will definitely help spur us to keep going on the day knowing we are raising lots of money for such a fantastic local cause.”

The team hopes to complete the walk in under 36 hours, and is aiming to raise £6,000 for Ark Cancer Centre.

They have plans to hold various fundraising events ahead of the walk to generate funds.

Merv Rees, trustee for Ark Cancer Centre Charity, said: “Ark is proud, and honoured, to be the Unum Basingstoke Charity of the Year partners for 2018-19. The team have already raised several thousand pounds for the charity, and Ark is grateful that several of them will be going the extra mile, and then some, by taking part in the South Coast Challenge.

“This is a community partnership through which Unum colleagues are really making a difference. Their significant show of support is raising awareness of, and money for, the charity’s £5million appeal which is helping to fund the new NHS cancer treatment centre that will be built at Basingstoke hospital.”

The cancer centre will offer a range of support services and complementary therapies alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in a calm and uplifting environment.

To sponsor the team from Unum, search for 'We Are Arking Mad' on https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com.