Member Article

Hampshire friends take on 574-mile task for testicular cancer

A group of friends from Portsmouth have covered nearly 600 miles on foot in the past month, raising over £2,000 for a testicular cancer charity.

The six friends make up the HJOMSL Society – a name that came from the initials of Haydn, Joss, Oliver, Mike, Stuart and Luke. Established in 2011, the group meet regularly to participate in sports and social events as well as gathering funds for men’s charities and raise awareness for men’s health and mental wellbeing.

This latest task saw the team of young lads test the limits of their physical capability and fitness, covering the impressive distance either running or walking 574 miles in just under one month. They took on the challenge in aid of the Oddballs Foundation, a charity set up in 2016 committed to raising awareness of testicular cancer and how early detection can make it treatable and even curable.

After completing the task, Haydn Bula (28), Sales Adviser at Barratt Homes’ New Quarter development in Bordon, told his colleagues about his achievement and Barratt Homes agreed to match the amount, bringing the grand total amount raised to £2,118.

Haydn said: “The Oddballs Foundation is making a difference to male health around the world, and this support will be of huge benefit. I’m so grateful to Barratt Homes for matching our final donation amount.

“We were all pushed to the extreme, but with will and determination we not only met our 500-mile target but smashed it and reached 574 miles. Thank you to all those who sponsored us.”

The group walk or ran anywhere they could in the month of March, tracking their progress and sometimes video calling each other while they were exercising for moral support.

Tammy Bishop, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Southampton Division, said: “When we heard that Haydn and his friends were embarking on this trek for charity, we had to help out.

“Barratt Homes is committed to supporting charities in the region, and to find out that one of our employees was doing the same, is great to hear – massive congratulations to them all.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .