LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwired) — 07/18/13 — While we-re all avidly watching the current Tour de France, closer to home there-s an equally dedicated team of cyclists preparing to complete their own version. A team of four senior managers from (see notes to editors) is cycling an impressive 550 miles over six days around the building society-s 70-strong branch network in a -Tour de Branch-. The route takes them as far north as Sheffield and as far south as Frome in Somerset.
But it-s not the fabled yellow jersey that-s in these cyclists- sights – they-re aiming to provide a bumper windfall for a wide range of local charities.
One of the cyclists, Matt Mannings, Head of Branch Network said: “Each of our supports a local charity with regular fundraising events and volunteering as part of our community partner programme. The aim of our cycle challenge is to support the branches with their individual fundraising and to raise the profile of the different charities”.
We are covering approximately 100 miles each day which is quite a challenge but it is also great fun to see the different branches and their fantastic fundraising ideas. Many branches have really gone with the French theme and are having all sorts of fun raising money for their community partners. We hope to raise about GBP 25,000 for local charities.”
The cyclists will set off on Monday 22 July hoping to reach their final destination – a tiring 550 miles later – at the Society-s Coventry High Street branch on Saturday 27 July.
Branch Manager, Matt Lawley from the Coventry High Street branch said: “This is a fantastic achievement; the cyclists are doing an amazing job. We are holding various raffles and competitions including an indoor cycling challenge to raise money for our community partner, Coventry Mind”.
Notes to Editors
To view accompanying photo, visit the following link:
High resolution version available on request.
Each branch supports its own local good cause under the Community Partner Programme. Please call the Press Office for details of local charities supported under the Programme.
Coventry Building Society
Contacts:
Coventry Building Society
The press office
0870 607 7727