Twelve employees of the Luton-based Stonegate Pub Company are currently cycling 100km around the circumference of the Isle of Man in order to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The team started their cycle challenge yesterday (Wednesday 12th June) and are expected to finish today. The team have already raised nearly £35,0000 and are still looking to boost the fund with more donations.
The charity cycle was organised by Tim Edwards, area manger for Stonegate businesses in the North West of England. The team of twelve includes Julie Lodge, Operations Director; five other area managers, Lorna Crawford, Andy Willis, Phil Lewis, Stewart Draper and Fiona Beck; Steve Jones, Stonegate’s machine manager; Human Resources Manager, Jo Davies; Mel Western, a trainer with the company; Rob Bebbington, property manager and Ciara Kearns who is an operations administrator. The general manager from the Slug and Lettuce in Douglas, Andrew Cooper will be supporting the team by driving a back-up mini bus around the island with the cycling team.
When asked about why he chose to raise money for Macmillan, Tim said: “It is a charity that is close to my heart; they supported my family and took care of my mother before she died in 2005 and its a charity that many people have an affinity with.”
The group have been working tirelessly to raise as much money as possible for the charity including holding raffles, cake sales and a whole host of other fund raising activities. In addition to this, a number of Stonegate pubs in the North West have a collection box on the bar for customer donations. So far they have raised nearly £35,000.00 and are still collecting and counting! But now, the hard work really starts as the team take to their bikes and cycle around the Isle of Man. To donate to the Stonegate team’s fund, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Julie-Lodge1