A TECH PR specialist is throwing its support by Ark Day with a huge static cycle ride.

Whiteoaks International, based in Hook, has chosen Ark Cancer Centre Charity as its charity partner.

Whiteoaks will kick off its support for the charity on Ark Day, a 24-hour long fundraising campaign on Friday 21 June.

The day will start with Whiteoaks’ chief executive, James Kelliher, playing a round of sunrise golf at Dummer Golf Club followed by a team cyclathon.

Between 9am and 4.30pm, employees will take turns to cycle on a static bike ride, with a target to cycle 70 miles during the day.

The team will also be able to choose to run or walk some of the distance, with a variety of sweepstakes for the fastest mile, the fastest 15-minute slot, the fastest time to reach the halfway point – and more.

The Whiteoaks team will also be encouraging Hook residents to donate at Tesco in the town, and will be running a cake and savoury bake sale to raise additional money.

Suzanne Griffiths, managing director at Whiteoaks International, said: “We moved to our home in Hook in March 2018 and, just over a year on, it’s the right time for us to choose and support a local charity.

“Ark Cancer Centre Charity is fundraising for a much-needed, dedicated cancer support centre at Basingstoke hospital with a £5 million target. We’re excited to help the charity move closer to its goal and can’t wait to get things started with Ark Day next month.”

Merv Rees, Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee and renowned liver cancer surgeon who is a driving force behind the cancer treatment centre project, said: “Ark is proud and honoured to have been chosen as a charity partner by the team at Whiteoaks International.

“The business has come up with some great ideas to raise funds for, and awareness of, Ark’s £5m campaign to help fund the new NHS cancer treatment centre that will help and support cancer patients and their loved ones in Hampshire, including those living in and around Hook.

“Thanks to everyone at Whiteoaks for this significant show of support – it is much appreciated and will really make a difference.”

Throughout the Autumn and Winter, Whiteoaks will hold a variety of activities including a Great British Bake Off-style competition, celebrate National Sandwich Day, go carolling in Hook and organise a raffle at its Christmas staff party – with all the money raised going to Ark.