Local bus operator First Kernow is donating £500 from a recent award win to one of its bus drivers, who is planning a charity cycle ride in September.

Camborne-based bus driver John Jones, 60, approached First Kernow’s managing director Alex Carter to ask if the company would support his planned 200 mile cycle ride between Cornwall and Hampshire. This is to raise money for two charities in memory of his mother-in-law Jenny Vipond, who died recently of pancreatic cancer.

In response, First Kernow said it would donate to him all of its £500 prize money it received for winning FirstGroup’s Be First team award in the category Committed to Customers.

John, who lives in Camborne, will be embarking on his cycle ride in early September, raising money for Cancer Research UK and Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington, Hampshire, which cared for his mother-in-law.

He said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support First Kernow has given me for my cycle ride in memory of my mother-in-law, who was a wonderful lady. This is a fantastic way to start my fund-raising for Cancer Research UK and Oakhaven Hospice.”

Alex Carter commented: “When John contacted us to ask for our support, we were only too happy to assist and we could not think of a more worthwhile cause to which to donate the £500 we were given by FirstGroup for winning our Be First award.

“This award belongs to all our First Kernow staff, who provide an excellent service to our customers and I am sure all of them will wish John every success with his cycle ride in September.”