A TEAM of wine specialists from Theale have put the pedal to the metal to raise thousands of pounds for a Reading Hospice.
A group of employees at wine specialists Laithwates took part in a cycling challenge in aid of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.
The team undertook a cycle from their distribution centre in Gloucester to their head offices in Theale–a journey of 120km–raising £3,000 for the hospice.
It is just the latest in a series of events during a three-year fundraising partnership between Laithwaites and Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, with a total of £88,000 raised for the charity.
Manny Oliveira, Brand Partnership Manager at Laithwaites, said: “We undertook a challenging bike ride from our distribution centre in Gloucester to our head office in Theale, covering a total distance of 120 kilometres. It took us six hours and 45 minutes to complete the journey.
“The highlight of our ride was conquering a very steep hill known as Birdlip Hill, which was a real struggle reaching 28% gradient at its peak.
They continued: “Along the way, we had the chance to stop at some fantastic places. The scenery at Cotswold Water Park was beautiful, and we also visited a delightful pub where a cold Coca Cola felt like the best reward, especially considering the scorching weather with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees.
“What made this ride even more special was that it was for a great cause – in support of the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice– we’re thrilled to share that we raised an impressive £3,350 for the charity.
“It was a fulfilling experience, combining a physically challenging journey with the satisfaction of contributing to such a great charity.”
Laithwaites CEO Philippa Strub said: “Our staff at Laithwaites chose Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice as our charity partner after a much-loved colleague was cared for at the hospice a few years ago.
“We’re always happy to find new ways to contribute and we’re really proud of this latest effort by the team.”
Jennifer Patient, Senior Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hopsice, said: “We’re so grateful to Laithwaites for their dedicated support since 2020 and their latest fundraising challenge is an incredible achievement.
“The funds raised will make a huge difference in helping us to be there when it matters for people going through the most difficult times of their lives.”
