A team of furnishing industry cyclists have completed a 300+ mile bike ride, raising £27,000 for The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry.
A 12-strong team of cyclists took part in the St Albans to Morecambe Bike Ride fundraiser, which was organised by Tony Attard OBE DL, master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, and took place from 12-16th September.
The peloton set off on the morning of 12th September from Verulamium Park in St Albans and cycled 64 miles north, ending the day in Whittlebury. On day two, the team cycled 68 miles through the heart of the East Midlands, negotiating the streets of Leicester and Loughborough, finishing in Kegworth.
On the third day, the cyclists headed 67 miles from Kegworth, riding through Long Eaton in the morning, followed by an afternoon climb up Snake Pass in the Derbyshire section of the Peak District, and ending the day in Glossop. The cyclists faced another tough day on day four, with climbs out of Glossop, ending the day in the Yorkshire market town of Skipton after a 58-mile ride.
On the final morning, the cyclists started the day with a visit to the office of the National Bed Federation (NBF), a sponsor of the team jersey. The cyclists were greeted by Andrew Mear, chairman of Skipton Business Improvement District, and Jessica Alexander, executive director of the NBF, who presented the team with a cheque. After that, the team cycled the final 45 miles over the Yorkshire Dales and into Morecambe, Lancashire, where they were cheered over the finish line by friends and family at the Midland Hotel.
Later that evening the High Sheriff of Lancashire, Martin John Ainscough DL, presented each participant with a certificate and a bottle of English champagne.
The group’s fundraising total currently stands at £27,000, but there is still time to donate (the JustGiving page will remain live for another six weeks).
The money raised will support the charity’s education programme - which nurtures young people looking to build a career in the sector - and its provision of occupational welfare to people working in the industry.
The Furniture Makers’ Company would like to thank all the sponsors of the team jersey – Biesse UK, Blum UK, Bulgaro Interiors, Burbidge Kitchens, the British Contract Furnishing Association (BCFA), the British Furniture Manufacturers Association (BFM), Celtheath, Furniture Village, Gresham Office Furniture, KI, the NBF, Ocee Design, Panaz, Sanderson Design Group, SATRA and Shackletons Group.
Tony Attard says: “What a fantastic week we had. This was a substantial challenge for all of us, with some very tough climbs throughout the week. All the participants agreed that it was a hard trip but worth it to raise the significant sum of £27,000 for our charity. I would like to express my deepest of thanks to our corporate cycle jersey sponsors as well as for all the individual donations we have received through JustGiving. There is still time to donate and help us raise more funds.”
Prior to the group’s departure, a ceremony took place at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London, where Alison Gowman, Alderman and Sheriff of London, presented the master with a donation towards the fundraiser and wished the team well on the trip. She said: “It is a great initiative for the master and livery members to undertake. I was delighted to wish them well as they set off and I know that all the hard work will result in funds that will be put to such good use.”
