Derek leads a Tesco team on Highland trek

Organiser and team leader Derek Loughlin from Coleraine came up with the idea when trying to think how best to engage a group of people to raise funds.

A 100-mile hike in Scotland, with a team target of £50,000. Staff participated in the hike, while colleagues in their stores sponsored them.

The West Highland Way links Milngavie, just outside Glasgow, to Fort William in the Highlands.

Certainly not for the faint hearted, yet this intrepid bunch completed the task, raising an amazing £40,000 for pioneering research into cancer.

“This was a very difficult event for the team,” said Derek, “as it was very wet and cold.

“At one stage we were pelted with hailstones, but each person there had their own personal reasons for taking part.

“I lost my sister Diane to breast cancer in 2006, at the age of 43, leaving three young children behind.

“There are few people in the province whose lives have not been touched by cancer, so we are extremely grateful to all those who supported us.

“It was a personal achievement for us all,” adds Derek, “and the determination and stamina shown by everyone, made me very proud to have led the team.”

Tesco will raise £10 million to fund 32 early diagnosis research projects across the UK, including Northern Ireland and have launched a new in-store customer awareness campaign.

Make sure you pick up the early diagnosis leaflet at your local Tesco store. The earlier the diagnosis the better the outcome.