The Tribune

Atlantis employees braved the chilly start and mid-morning rain to make up one of the largest corporate teams in the annual Ride for Hope, cycling a range of distances, earlier this month.

After a brief absence from the event, Atlantis resumed its ‘yellow jersey’ sponsorship that was met in kind by employees who will raise an additional sum of over $6,000 in the fight against cancer in The Bahamas. A total of 25 employees took part in the event.

According to Ed Fields, senior vice-president of public affairs, it was gratifying to return to support the event.

“Atlantis has been a partner with Ride for Hope since its inception and is proud to be counted once again,” said Mr Fields. “In addition, our employees have stepped up alongside us, as they’ve done every year, to make a meaningful impact on this event and in the fight against cancer nationwide.”

For employees like assistant chef Dominique Hanna the event gave her the feeling that she was a part of something bigger than herself.

“Ride for Hope gave me an opportunity to support the fight against cancer in an exciting and team-oriented way,” she said. “I also wanted to challenge myself and jumping back on a bike for the first time in years was definitely that. Completing 50 miles was extremely fun and it was an awesome accomplishment.”

Employee programmes and communications manager Janelle Hutcheson was taking part for the fourth year.

“I do it each time because I appreciate the opportunity afforded to me by Atlantis to contribute to cancer programmes in The Bahamas. Whether we like it or not, this terrible disease has touched our lives in some way, shape or form and R4H provides an avenue to help us increase awareness and raise funds that affect related programmes.”

First-time rider Lenny Cumberbatch, director of food and beverage, rode in tribute to two of his first cousins who passed away from cancer.

“It was a great feeling,” he said. “I wanted to do it for years. It really felt as‎ though you were doing something positive. It was a privilege to ride alongside great friends and colleagues, everyone fighting toward the same cause.”

For director of transportation Clement Taylor, this was another notch on his belt having participated in every Atlantis-sponsored event for very personal reasons.

“I ride because I support the cancer society and the work they are doing to assist cancer patients,” he said. “This was a way to continue supporting the fight against cancer. I lost my 29-year old sister to breast cancer and my 83-year old grandfather to prostate cancer. So I ride and will continue to ride.”