GILLETS Callington Ltd, which owns a chain of Spar shops across the South West, has celebrated the 30th anniversary of opening its first store in Callington by raising £33,000 for Children's Hospice South West. Staff from Gilletts raised the money by taking part in a sponsored SPARATHON; a 327-mile cycle, visiting 30 of their stores along the way, through four counties in just five days. The group's total of £33,000 means they raised £100 for every mile cycled. The cycling team, which comprised Jason Summerfield, an area manager for Gilletts, Nick Kenworthy, sales and marketing director of Appleby Westward and Alan Cookson, IT director for Gilletts. Richard Nancarrow, Alan's brother-in-law, also completed the entire 327-miles as part of the team. The ride began at their most easterly SPAR store in Salisbury with a challenging 80-mile day. The team then made its way down through the four counties. They set off for their fourth and final day of cycling from CHSW's Little Harbour children's hospice in St Austell before finishing at their most westerly SPAR store in Hayle. Store managers and employees from SPAR stores along the route did their bit for the challenge by fundraising through various cake and book stalls, raffles and even a head shave. Staff also took part in indoor cycling events completing the same mileage in store as the team did. Alan Cookson said: 'To end up with this much money in the bank for CHSW was beyond my wildest dream and just makes it that extra bit special. I have been totally overawed by how much everyone got behind our idea of celebrating Gillett's Callington 30th anniversary with SPARATHON, and can only thank everyone for their generosity. 'I have to say when I first got on my bike five months ago I remember thinking this is going to be a tough challenge, and at times it was, but it was also great fun and seeing everyone's commitment and support along the way just made it for me.' Jason Summerfield added: 'The SPARATHON was all about each of the stores getting behind the event and making it happen in their shop in so many different ways. It was a real team effort.' Bernadette Chambers, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser for CHSW, thanked the team for their efforts. She said: 'We are hugely grateful to everyone at Gilletts Callington Ltd for choosing to celebrate their 30th anniversary in this way and making the SPARATHON such a huge success. 'Everyone involved can feel very proud that they have helped local families with life-limited children make the most of their precious time together.'