Photograph from left to right: Daniel Crinson, Jonathan Spencer, Ryan Williams, Nick Stone, Sean Harper & Tom Healey.
On the 23rd of June 2019 a team of six from S&G Response completed a demanding 360 mile Bike Ride from London to Amsterdam, all to fundraise for a Charity (Alzheimer’s Society) dedicated to providing much needed care and support for people suffering with dementia and those closest to them. The ride was an overall success but wasn’t without its complications.
To accompany the efforts of the cycling team, employees back at the S&G Response HQ held multiple fundraising events to support the cause. These included a charity raffle and tuck shop, as well as an in office cycling challenge on stationary exercise bikes.
Beginning Wednesday morning, London to Dover was the challenge for Day 1 of the London to Amsterdam bike ride. The first Day saw the team tackling over 4,500ft of climbing over a 93 mile ride in the classic British downpour. After a short ride on the ferry the team were ready to start Day 2, riding from Calais to Bruges. Although it was the flatter part of their journey with a view to envy, by the time they crossed the border of France and Belgium they could definitely feel a burn in their legs. It didn’t help that the team took a wrong turn along the way, adding an extra couple of miles to their journey which they could have really done without.
Day 3 and there was a feeling of excitement and relief amongst the team as they had passed the half way mark. This was the longest day of the bike ride cycling a mighty 103 miles from Bruges to Breda. To top the day off there was a small setback with colleagues crashing into one another, resulting in more than a few bruises. After a good night’s sleep, Day 4 began and the team were more motivated than ever with the end in sight. They smashed the last 88 miles despite a constant and persistent headwind. Arriving in Amsterdam at 16:30 they were elated to find friends and family waiting for them at the finish line, as well as knowing their accomplishment resulted in a great deal of money being raised for a charity close to their hearts. The team are now home, safe and sound – just a little sore.
Back in the office the rest of S&G Response’s employees dedicated their time and energy to match the 360 miles the ‘away team’ were cycling, in front of the big glass window in reception where everyone could see them! They exceeded their target massively by collectively stacking up a huge 421 miles.
Following everyone’s efforts, the total amount raised with online and offline donations is £16,000. Donations are still coming in, and the Just Giving page is still open if you, too, would like to support the cause. httpss://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sandgcycle
‘We are absolutely delighted with our accomplishment and the incredible amount that has been raised, as a team, for a Charity that we know helps to improve the lives of those in need. At the beginning of the challenge the team was definitely apprehensive, thinking we might be unable to complete the ride – it was daunting to say the least – but 362 miles later the whole team had made it in one piece! Overall, a fantastic experience and we enjoyed the opportunity to cycle alongside like-minded individuals. We were so pleased to see everyone at home getting involved with the office challenge too, it really kept us in high spirits!’ Sean Harper, Motor Supply Chain Manager at S&G Response
