A Sefton Group employee has entered this year’s Manx End2End challenge in memory of his late father, aiming to raise money for the Isle of Man Parkinson’s Disease Society.
Ben Graham, 28, is a Casino Gaming Operative at the Palace Casino and hopes to raise up to £1,000 for the charity, which holds particular personal significance.
Ben’s father, Brian Graham, sadly passed away earlier this year after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for more than five years. Brian was also a regular supporter of the charity throughout his life.
Despite the less than desirable weather conditions of recent months, Ben has been training hard with his mountain bike in order to be ready for the event on Sunday, September 9.
He said: ‘My dad taught me to ride a bike when I was a kid and, as he loved the Isle of Man, I thought what better way to remember him than to attempt to cycle the length of the Island in this year’s End2End. I’d been told that it was a really hard challenge to do, so I thought it would be a great way to challenge myself and raise money in Dad’s memory at the same time.’
If you’d like to support Ben, there are sponsor forms located at the Palace Casino and Bingo Hall, Henry’s Café in Nobles park, and the Railway public house on Douglas Quay.
Adrian Brockhouse, Director of Hotels and Leisure for the Sefton Group, said: ‘We’re really proud of Ben for rising to the challenge of the End2End, which has grown over the years into a great event. Each year the BEST WESTERN Palace Hotel ♦ Casino chooses a different charity to raise money for and, each year, our staff go above and beyond the call of duty to help with fundraising events – and, as is the case with Ben, several undertake personal challenges to help boost our fundraising totals.’