FESTIVAL Place has pledged to raise £10,000 for a local charity which is fundraising for a cancer centre.

The shopping centre launched its appeal for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity with a ‘ride, row and run’ event on Saturday, May 24.

Volunteers took turns on an exercise bike, rowing machine and running machine to between them travel the distance to and from Basingstoke’s three twin cities- Alencon in France, Euskirchen in Germany and Braine-l’Alleud in Belgium.

The volunteers were mentored by Basingstoke’s record-breaking rowing legend Dave Holby.

Dave said: “The drive and enthusiasm that the Festival Place and Ark Cancer Centre Charity volunteers are bringing to this project is incredible.”

The charity is on a mission to raise £5million towards a state-of-the-art cancer centre, which will offer radiotherapy, chemotherapy and more in a £13million facility which will be built in North Hampshire.

Vickie Randall, charity manager at the charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work with Festival Place as its charity partner over the next year.

“It will give us a fantastic opportunity not only to help raise the money needed for a treatment centre for local cancer patients but also share out news, events and updates with local people visiting the shopping centre.

“This will make a huge difference to our project - we’re all about providing cancer care to local cancer sufferers and couldn’t wish for a better partner to help promote our cause and raise money.”

The ‘ride, row and run’ event was the first of many which will be held at the shopping centre for the charity.

For more information and to make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/festival-place.