A VERY special group of colleagues have given teenage cancer sufferers a £26,000 boost.

Stephen Hall and colleagues from Special Metals Wiggin got on their bikes for the Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) after workmate Simon Somers’ 17-year-old son Jonathan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma a year ago.

“His treatment, which is still ongoing, is based at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, which has a dedicated teenage cancer ward,” Simon said. “So I would like to thank all those involved and who so generously donated to this great cause.”

Manager Stephen joined Chris Sparks, Phil Buckman, Kieran Holdstock, Andy Jones and Ed Atkins on a 1,800-mile cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats and back last year with the initial aim of raising £15,000.

Hereford Sixth Form College students also cycled the distance on exercise bikes and a total £26,750 has been handed over.

TCT fund-raising executive Michelle White said it was wonderful to hear of the challenge.

Stephen said the group was inspired by the strength of the Somers family following the shock of Jonathan’s diagnosis.

“This was the inspiration for our challenge, and the level of support and interest we received was far in excess of our most optimistic estimations,” he said.