By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 03 February, 2015
More than £10,000 has been raised for charity by leading business people in a space-themed event.
The fund-raiser, dubbed Lost in Space, was held at the National Space Centre in Leicester and saw five business people and a former Leicester Tigers player compete in challenges to raise money for two charities.
The event, sponsored by metal manufacturers Upton Steel and care home business Freedom Care, consisted of a rocket-building challenge, a remote control Mars Rover challenge and a treasure hunt.
The winner of each event was awarded £500 on top of the money they had been raising for the past two weeks.
The money will go to the LOROS Hospice in Leicester and prostate cancer charity Prostaid.
Chris Rees, head of the corporate and commercial law at Howes Percival, was among those who took part in the event.
He said: "I was delighted to be involved in the fund-raiser personally and with work.
"Firstly, because I know several people who have a personal affinity to LOROS, and the charity has helped them and their families during difficult times.
"Secondly, in terms of raising money for Prostaid, my father-in-law passed away a few years ago due to a prostate illness, so the charity is very close to my heart."
Other participants in the event included Paul Kiernan of LOROS, ex-Tigers player George Chuter, Scott McLaren of Net Ready, Paul Norbury of PWC, and Tyrone Courtman of PKF Cooper Parry. Tyrone said: "I've been really excited about taking part in this challenge. I have a very close affinity to LOROS as they provided hospice care to my mum for the last 10 days or so of her life, so I know first-hand what an extremely worthwhile cause they are.
"Many others will have benefited from their care and doubtless many will need their support in the future at a critical time in their and their families' lives.
"But, unfortunately, LOROS relies heavily on donations for its funding, and it simply could not operate were it not for the generosity of its donors."
The overall winner for the competition will be announced later this week.
Paul Kiernan, of LOROS, said: "I feel humbled and I am really grateful to everyone who donated, sponsored and helped with the event.
"We have raised more than enough money to pay for all of the costs for one patient for over two weeks.
"At the end of the day, it comes back to patient care."
