The Reading-based Real Estate Finance (REF) division of Secure Trust Bank is celebrating the success of its annual fundraising walk, the 'REF Ramble', having raised over £15,000 for Cancer Research UK.
The bank's 'ramblers', along with several of its professional partners, which made significant contributions, helped to smash the £10,000 target set by the business. The bank's pound-for-pound match funding scheme also allowed participating staff to double what they raised individually, up to a maximum of £400 each.
Donations include £1,000 from New York and Bahamas-based real estate specialist Gold Wynn Group. Professional services firm Gunnercooke also raised more than £1,000 for the cause.
Organised by the bank's Relationship Director, Mike Feasey, the event saw 44 spirited individuals made up of colleagues and nine partner firms embark on a 25-mile route along the Thames on Friday 20 September.
Commencing in Goring at 9am, participants walked to the bank's head office in Abbey Gardens, Reading, for a short break at 1pm, before continuing to the finishing point in Henley-on-Thames at 5pm.
Mike said: "We couldn't be happier with the success of this year's REF Ramble, which is now in its third year. Within that time, we have proudly raised over £35,000 for a number of charities close to the hearts of many here at Secure Trust Bank.
"The generosity of contributors and participants truly underlines the community's commitment to such an important cause - particularly the kind passer-by who donated £10! From taking detours to being battered by hailstones, it was an eventful but rewarding day all round."
Local professional partners that joined the walk included Anderson Wilde & Harris, BDB Pitmans, Clyde & Co., Field Seymour Parkes, Gunnercooke, Haslams, Harrison Clarke Rickerbys, Shepherd & Wedderburn, and Vail Williams.
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence, and information. Josie Coakley, the charity's Relationship Manager, joined the REF Ramblers for the afternoon.
Josie said: "It was a pleasure to meet the team at this year's REF Ramble. To see that over £15,000 has been raised for life-saving cancer research is testament to the kindness of everybody involved, and we are particularly grateful to those who braved the storms for most of the journey!"
Secure Trust Bank's REF business supports projects across the UK in need of property finance, including purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), residential developments, and build to rent portfolios.
To continue supporting the REF Ramble and Cancer Research UK, the bank's Just Giving page will remain live until the end of the year.
Find out more about Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance.