IET staff hike the streets of London for charity

24 September 2008

Staff from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), a world leading engineering organisation, took to the streets of London on Friday night (19 September) to hike 20 miles in aid of Maggie’s cancer centres.

In total, 53 staff from the IET took part in the London Night Hike, which started from City Hall, home of the Mayor of London.

The 20 mile course took in a number of London landmarks often closed to the public, including Somerset House, Horse Guards, Battersea Power Station, the Royal Geographic Society and Hyde Park.

The route also included the IET’s London home, Savoy Place, which was built in 1889 as an examination hall for the Royal College of Surgeons and was later home to the BBC.

The IET teams have already raised £10,500 and the money is still coming in. The final figure is expected to top £11,500.

Robin McGill, IET chief executive took part in the race. He said: “It really was a great experience taking part in the night hike. Fitness levels varied and everyone helped each other out to get through the 20 mile course. As well as walking for a great cause we also got to see a number of attractions that are often closed to the public.”

Val White, Accounts Assistant at the IET, also took part in the walk. The 63-year-old said: “It was a gruelling challenge but we were spurred on by the great cause that we were all walking in aid of. When the pain kicked in we told jokes and sang. There really was a great sense of team spirit. It sometimes felt like we would never limp over the finishing line near Tower Bridge, but nearly 12 hours later we made it.”

The London Night Hike was in aid of Maggie's cancer centres, buildings situated next to NHS hospitals that aim to treat people with cancer as humans, rather than patients.