Sheffield Cyclists get Back on Their Bikes for Ashes Fundraiser
8th May 2015
Five cyclists from Sheffield wealth management firm Investec Wealth & Investment (IW&I) who are taking part in the Investec Ashes 2015 Cycle Challenge have chosen to support Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice as their local charity.
The challenge, which has as its ambassador former Yorkshire and England cricketer Darren Gough, takes place between 12th and 15th July and involves a gruelling 300 mile ride. Fundraisers will cycle between five Ashes Test Match grounds: Old Trafford, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Lord's and Kia Oval, finishing on the eve of the second Investec Test Match. Following the success of the Investec Ashes 2013 Cycle Challenge, a total of 100 staff and guests of Investec will join in this year's challenge, which is a celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the 'greatest ever' test series between England and Australia back in 2005. To boost their fundraising efforts, the Sheffield office is organising a fundraising ball - the Sunshine Ball, which will be held on Saturday 13th June at Sheffield City Hall and will raise funds for the national charity the Lord's Taverners and Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. The event will include a four course meal, plus an evening of entertainment featuring live music, sporting celebrity guests and a charity auction. James Bedingfield, Senior Investment Director at Investec Wealth & Investment, said: -We are all really excited to take part in the Investec Ashes 2015 Cycle Challenge and are delighted to be supporting Bluebell Wood Childrens' Hospice, as well as the Lord's Taverners this year. We raised a fantastic amount of money last time and are hoping we will be equally successful in our fundraising efforts this year. Tickets for the ball are selling fast, so anyone interested in attending should get in touch as soon as possible to book a table. Rachael Dawes, Corporate Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood, said: -We are really proud that Investec Wealth & Investment has chosen to support us through hosting such a fantastic ball and that staff are really going the extra mile with the cycle challenge. These events will help to raise vital funds towards the £3m per year we need to care and support our children with complex health needs and their families. Rachael adds: -Bluebell Wood is here to provide specialist care and support to more than 200 children at both at our North Anston hospice and in the community. We help to create memories and our hospice is filled with love and laughter. The support of such corporate partnerships is really important to us and we are tremendously grateful. Darren Gough takes over as the challenge's Ambassador this year from former England cricketer Mike Gatting OBE who took part in 2013. The Investec Ashes 2015 Cycle Challenge has also attracted a number of celebrities including former Peterborough United footballer Matthew Etherington and Olympic silver medallist diver Leon Taylor. In 2013, the challenge raised over £250k for the Lord's Taverners charity and other charities, such as the Sheffield's Children's Appeal. This year, the Sheffield cyclists are hoping to raise enough money for a minibus for the Rowan Special School in Dore, which supports pupils with complex speech and language difficulties and/or autism spectrum disorders. Darren Gough said: -I am privileged to be following in the footsteps of Mike Gatting OBE as Ambassador for the Investec Ashes 2015 Cycle Challenge. I can't wait to experience the demands the challenge will present, the teamwork, grit and determination that rewards those who undertake the challenge. I'm proud to be getting on my bike to raise funds for some very worthwhile causes. For more information, or to book tickets for the Sunshine Ball, contact James Bedingfield on 0114 275 5100 or email: james.bedingfield@investecwin.co.uk or visit the website www.investecwin.co.uk. If you would like to sponsor any of the cyclists, click the link for the BT MyDonate page https://mydonate.bt.com/events/investecashescyclechallenge2015/200198 and follow us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Investec-Ashes-2015-Cycle-Challenge/1689281784629166?fref=ts