20 colleagues from Lookers group will hit the road to cycle 650km from Birmingham to Belfast to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Research and Papyrus suicide prevention charities.
Teams from the leading motor retailer Lookers are gearing up to hit the roads this September and cycle more than 650 kilometres (400 miles) to raise an impressive £150,000 for charity.
The six-day cycle challenge will see a team of 10 Lookers’ colleagues set off from its Birmingham Lookers Vauxhall Selly Oak dealership on Sunday 25 September and travel to Ambleside, Cumbria, taking in major towns and cities including Stafford, Crewe and Preston after stopping off at Lookers’ headquarters in Altrincham.
A second team of 10 riders will hand over at Ambleside before attacking the final stage of the challenge through Carlisle, Dumfries and Ayr, with riders due to cross the finish line in Belfast at its Charles Hurst dealership on Boucher Road on Friday 30 September.
Representing a significant investment by Lookers, the event will see a qualified team of medics, mechanics and experienced riders guide and support the Lookers novice peloton across its epic UK-wide route.
Hundreds of staff, customers and partners are expected to line the route to spur the cyclists on and help raise vital funds which will go directly to Macmillan Cancer Research and suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
Leading the charge for Team Lookers is Chief Operating Officer Duncan McPhee.
“Lookers is committed to supporting communities across the UK and one of the major ways we do that is through charity fundraising initiatives. This year, we’ve switched it up a gear and decided to hit the road and pedal our way to smashing an ambitious fundraising target of £150,000 for two vital charities that continue to deliver vital care for our communities”, Duncan said.
“We’re very excited about embarking on this challenge and we hope that our colleagues and customers can get behind us as we swap four wheels for two. There have been many weeks of training ahead of this event, all taking place on top of our day jobs, but I think it will be a fantastic and unforgettable experience for all involved.
“Between the two Lookers teams we will get the chance to call into many of our dealerships across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and I’m sure we’ll get lots of encouragement along the way.”
Other senior team members from the Executive Committee and Operations Committee and many employees are signed up to take part.
Rob Macleay, Senior Corporate Business Development Manager from Macmillan Cancer Research said:
“Lookers has been a long-term supporter of Macmillan Cancer Research and over the years its colleagues and customers have raised thousands of pounds in vital funds for the charity which enables us to continue to deliver vital services to communities across the UK. I’m thrilled to support the Lookers team as they set off on their most ambitious fundraising challenge to date and I wish the teams every success.”
Vicki Dutton, Fundraising Manager from Papyrus, the UK’s only national charity for the prevention of young suicide, said:
“We’re delighted to be selected by the UK’s leading motor retailer to benefit from a significant fundraising boost from Looker’s charity cycle ride. Their support is invaluable to us and it’s great to see major companies working with smaller charities like us to tackle community issues and help break the stigma around suicide, whilst also empowering young people with the skills to manage their mental health.
“This is a fantastic charity challenge and we’ll be cheering on the cyclists as they make their way around the UK to spread a message of hope.”
To find out more about the Lookers charity cycle ride and to donate visit their JustGiving Page.
