Pendennis Shipyard Ltd is renowned for possessing a world-class boatbuilding team in Falmouth - but now they also appear to be building towards producing a world-class fundraising team following the staff’s spectacular performance in aid of a three-day charity cycle ride.

“Team Pendennis” – a group of 12 social riders – took part in the Pedal4Patients “Tour of Kernow” 300km charity bike ride on behalf of the Royal Cornwall Hospital’s Charity Trust and raised the amazing sum of almost £28,000 out of a total of £35,000 raised by all the riders who took part.

The event was open to any rider in the county with the only proviso for taking part was they had to help raise sponsorship for the charity.

The task of assembling the Pendennis team was placed on the shoulders of Jason Renfree who supported the event in a big way with his fundraising last year.

“Chairman Mike Carr asked me to take on this year’s challenge,” said Jason “and it was decided to ask the staff who were not regular cyclists if they would like to raise money for the charity.

“I knew that some of the staff had been experiencing problems with members of their families suffering from cancer and when they were approached to take part nobody needed persuading – they all jumped at the opportunity.”

Charity participation has always been encouraged by the company’s management and for “Team Pendennis” it was a challenge they relished as many of them had good reasons to be part of it.

“Between 2020 and now I lost three of my grandparents and a couple of months ago my uncle was diagnosed with lung cancer so I wanted to do this,” said Olivia Hattam.

Kevin Marshall added: “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, my mum had died and my dad’s Alzheimers had become quite bad so I was really pleased to engage with the charity ride.”

“The charity provides that extra ‘pillow’ for people when they are in hospital” said Chris Newman “and it helps provide just that little extra bit above the minimum that the NHS can afford to fund.”

It was all about caring for Alan McIntosh: “We care for those we know, we care for those we don’t know and because I care,” said Alan.

The other members of the team were Ben Smith, Jack Carr, Eilidh Bruce, Matthew Walter, Jamie Moore, Nicole Adams, Mike Carr and, of course, Jason.

The fundraising began in earnest with Jason planning 50-mile training cycle rides, including the St Ives Brewery 50-mile event, two bake sales, bingo, a quiz night, a tombola sponsorship event and much more. The company joined in the fundraising by allowing tours of the shipyard by groups who then donated to the charity.

Jason introduced a bit of fun into the exhausting training rides by arranging tea and cake and ice cream stops which ensured everyone turned up for the next ride.

“Team Pendennis” hit the road on the first day of the ride in the most impressive way possible with the company supplying the 12-strong team with an individual kit in the company’s livery of blue and gold.

Setting out on the first stage of Truro – St Ives - Penzance the riders had to cover 98km.

Day two of the event saw the riders visit Penzance – Falmouth – St Austell to complete a 106km stage and on the final day it was a mere 96km test St Austell – Padstow – Truro.

There were no serious mishaps during the ride, but as back-up there was a maintenance team provided by Sustrans Cornwall to sort out any problems. Two volunteer paramedics and an ambulance were always in attendance.

“We are all very proud of being part of the Pendennis family,” said Jason “and hope that we represented the company to the best of our ability. It was a very tough challenge and at the end of each day you were shattered and so hungry. It took it out of the riders.

“From day one Pendennis was behind the team, from the guys on the shop floor to the directors supporting us with everything we asked for along with the help from sales and marketing, they couldn’t have been more helpful and accommodating.

“We have lost some major people at Pendennis through cancer and I have also been recovering from cancer. What we have done is in memory of those people who wish they could be here for another day but they’re not and that’s the brutal thing about life.

“We have been asked if we will do it again next year, but we are still thinking about that. We might look for different fund-raising events and that’s when we will decide in what direction we are going.”