AN energy brokerage company in Quedgeley are on a quest to raise £2,000 for two good causes, which includes the managing director running, walking or cycling 1,000 miles.

Power Direct Ltd is hoping to drum up £1,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK and £1,000 to support young cerebral palsy sufferer Archie Crowther, 4, who needs a life changing operation to help his movement and make his life pain free.

Anne Williams, managing director of Power Direct, will be running, walking or cycling 1000 miles up to July 31, having started on March 25, in order to raise the first £1,000.

The other £1,000 is based on the efforts of her staff, who will be collectively completing the same amount of miles in the same time as Anne, who has pledged to then donate £1,000 to the charity ‘Archie’s Chance to Dance’ which is supported locally by the Superhero Foundation, if they are successful.

On Saturday (May 7) Anne will cycle 100 miles in eight hours on a spin bike at Fearn Fitness gym’s open day in Innsworth, with all proceeds going to Pancreatic Cancer UK, which Anne will also be supporting when she rides the London-Surrey 100 at the end of July, the final stretch of her 1000-mile challenge.

The gym have supported Anne in previous fitness goals, and have provided her with the motivation and facilities she needs to complete this latest challenge.

Anne said she couldn’t have done any of this without the support of gym manager Debbie Wall and her staff. “When I first met Debbie I was firmly in the couch potato category,” she said. “Now, luckily not so much. That said, 100 miles will be a big challenge on Saturday and there is no guarantee I will do it, but I will give it my best shot.”

Archie’s family are aiming to raise £85,000 to help him get life changing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy surgery in the USA after his parents, Charlotte, 30, and Luke, 31, were told by the NHS it had refused Archie the treatment because he did not fulfil the criteria for it to be done.

The couple’s appeal has already seen over £50,000 raised and will mean Archie can travel to St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri where the renowned Dr T.S. Park will perform the operation.

To support Anne’s efforts, you can donate to Pancreatic Cancer UK by texting VSTQ97 followed by the amount you wish to donate e.g. £5, £10 etc to 70070.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/ArchiesChanceToDance to support Archie.