Co-op's big charity pedal in memory of colleague

Sunday 25 December 2016

Staff at at the Co-op have raised almost £3,000 for two local charities in memory of a much-loved colleague who died at the age of just 35.

The team from the Homemaker pedalled non-stop from 08:30 and 19:00 on what they called ‘Kev English Day’.

Carpet fitter Kev English passed away just months after receiving the news that he had terminal cancer, leaving behind his wife Charlotte and their young daughter Paige.

The family was helped by Jersey Hospice and Jersey Cancer Relief in his final months, and Mr English’s friends and colleagues decided to fundraise for the two charities in his memory.

They undertook a continual cycle challenge between 8.30am and 7pm on what they called ‘Kev English Day’ at The Channel Islands Co-operative Society’s Homemaker store in St Helier on Tuesday 13th December. In recognition of their efforts, the Society donated £1,000.

The Co-op's Chief Executive Colin Macleod said: "Kev clearly touched many people and will be much missed. I’m very proud of our Homemaker team in raising money for these two important charities that helped Kev and his family and do such important work in supporting so many people in Jersey. That is why the Society has decided to add £1,000 to the money that our colleagues have raised."

Homemaker Manager Kevin Smyrk said he was inspired to organise the event after Kevin's wife suggested if would be nice if people who knew him did something in his memory. 

Mr Smyrk said: "Kev was one of those really likeable blokes who always made you smile. Although Kev was not directly employed by the Society, he fitted carpets for us all his working life and so for us, he was very much a colleague and part of our team at Homemaker. Kev is greatly missed.

"Kev’s family was his world and so we wanted to do something to raise money for Jersey Hospice and Jersey Cancer Relief who really helped them. The cycle challenge was a massive team effort and everyone was involved in some way or another which is testament to how fond we all were of Kev. It was also lovely that so many of Kev’s friends and family came down to support us and join in. I’m delighted we raised so much."