Led by company CEO Colin Mayes, a daring group of Burhill Group team members are set to take on the challenge of cycling to Paris from Surrey-based Burhill Golf Club – with the aim of raising as much money as possible for the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
The 300km-plus challenge gets underway outside the Burhill clubhouse on September 2, with a 100km ride, before the intrepid team catches the ferry to France at Newhaven. Day two will see the group head south through the French countryside, with a daunting 120km stint to the overnight halt in Chaumont-en-Vexin. The third and final day of the ride will require a big final push into Paris, with a 75km ride coming to an end on the famous Champs-Élysées.
The BGL Group is well known for its charitable efforts, often revolving around sporting endeavours. The sole purpose of this particular challenge is to benefit the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross in Ukraine. Millions of people have fled the war-torn country in recent months, and millions more have no safe place to call home. Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to get critical care to those who need it most, but with challenging weather conditions and ongoing violence, an enormous number of people need help urgently. BGL has also helped sponsor a family to move from Ukraine to re-establish themselves here in the UK, with one member of the family remaining in his home country to continue fighting.
Fundraising efforts have been taking place around the country at BGL business venues (BGL Golf, Adventure Leisure, and Ninja Leisure). Charity golf days and member initiatives have bolstered the total raised, while Colin and his team of cyclists have eagerly promoted the upcoming ride to drive further donations.
The team of riders includes Mayes himself, along with a number of general managers and team members from various BGL sites: Ian McDowell, Stuart Perry, Robin Cheney, Martin Connor, Conor Thomas, and James Eady (HSBC). The team will also have David Cresswell and Theresa Plimmer on hand as support drivers to provide both mechanical and medical assistance.
Speaking on the challenge, Mayes, said: “This is incredibly important for us. People in Ukraine have suffered an enormous amount, so we are doing our very best, in any small way that we can, to provide help and support. I’m so grateful to the wonderful BGL employees who work across our various golf and leisure businesses that have been courageous enough to take on this challenge with me. This is a really great example of the togetherness and willingness to go the extra mile that we are so proud to represent across the business.
“We are delighted to have already raised more than £6,000 for The British Red Cross Society supporting the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, and will continue to work hard to raise as much as we can by the time our bikes arrive in Paris. In addition, I have also pledged that BGL will donate a further 50% to the final amount raised,” he added.
To find out more details about the ride, and to make a donation, follow this link:https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bgl-bike-2-paris-2022?utm_source=Sharethis&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=bgl-bike-2-paris-2022&utm_campaign=pfp-email&utm_term=5fcc306074d2466998f3d5010d0d517b
