Bristol Airport staff cycle 180 miles and raise £110,000 for children's hospice
By Charities Correspondent
A team of 38 cyclists from Bristol Airport has raised a record £110,000 for Children’s Hospice South West after completing a 180-mile bike ride from Tenby to the airport.
The two-day challenge took place on September 10 and 11, with Bristol Airport employees and business partners setting off from Tenby in Pembrokeshire before making their way across the South West.
The route took the cyclists through a mix of countryside, coastal paths, roads and gravel tracks before they reached Bristol Airport.
One of the final stops was Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm in Wraxall, where the riders met members of the hospice team before completing the final part of their journey.
Among those taking part was Bristol Airport CEO Dave Lees, along with other members of the airport’s executive team.
While the cyclists were out on the road, colleagues at the airport were taking on their own challenge.
Exercise bikes were set up in the departure lounge, where staff cycled the equivalent distance while passengers and visitors got involved and showed their support for the fundraiser.
The £110,000 raised is the biggest amount ever collected through a Bristol Airport charity event.
The money will support Children’s Hospice South West, which provides specialist hospice care and support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as their families.
The charity runs three children's hospices across the South West and provides care, support and experiences for families during some of the most difficult times of theirlives.
Paul Courtney, Director of Fundraising at Children’s Hospice South West, said the challenge had taken the idea of “going the extra mile” to another level.
He thanked everyone who took part and helped raise the money, saying every donation would help provide specialist care and support to children and families across the SouthWest.
The event was also backed by a number of Bristol Airport business partners, including Griffiths, Whiteheads, Ryebridge, PLS, J&G Fencing, Zoeftig, Lagan, Farrans, D5, CHASE Consulting, Stantec, Statom, G2 Signs, Pro-electric, Burroughs, Morgan LaRoche, All Power, Novus Project Management, Volkerfitzpatrick, Aureos, AMP Architects, Encon, V3 Group and Massey Cladding.
The Rapid Relief Team also provided food, drinks and snacks for the cyclists at variouspoints along the route.
Andrew Goodenough, Infrastructure Director at Bristol Airport, said the effort from staff and business partners had been “truly inspiring”.
He said the record fundraising total would help Children’s Hospice South West support families facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
After 180 miles on the road, the cyclists finally arrived back at Bristol Airport having raised a huge amount for a charity that supports families across the region.
