The annual wholesale, convenience, and foodservice charity bike ride ‘Bikes Against Bombs’ has now raised more than £1m.
The initiative was set up in 2015 by Neil Turton, Non-Executive Director at Alliance Stores, and Tom Fender, Development Director of TWC, to raise money for the Manchester-based landmine clearance charity Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
The 2023 ride, which is sponsored by TWC, Suntory and ITS, started on Sunday 26 March and comprised five tough days of cycling over 400km from Chiang Rai in Thailand to Luang Prabang in Laos. This year’s event, which has raised in excess of £200k, is the seventh international ride – the previous six challenges have raised £830,000 for MAG and have taken place in regions including Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Cambodia, all of which are impacted by the legacy of conflict.
This year’s ride saw over 35 industry executives take part including Bidcorp UK Chief Executive Andrew Selley, Unitas Wholesale Non-Exec Chairman Mark Aylwin, Suntory Channel Director Route to Market and On Trade Matthew Gouldsmith, Central England Co-op Chief Executive Debbie Robinson, and Unitas Wholesale Commercial Director Aoife Kenny.
Turton said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce that we have raised £1million since Tom and I founded the charity bike ride back in 2015. We’re so proud to be able to raise this much needed money for MAG which is a truly fantastic UK-based humanitarian charity.”
Fender added: “It’s been a very hot and humid ride and the hills have been incredibly challenging, its been tough! But we have a clear purpose, to smash our target and we are blown away with the support we’ve received – thanks to the generosity of everyone, we have hit £1 million – something we never dreamed would be possible when we started out 8 years ago.”
Darren Cormack, Chief Executive of MAG, said: “Despite the bombing ending more than 50 years ago, cluster bomb contamination continues to kill, injure, and hinder development in Laos. Working across Xieng Khouang and Khammouane provinces, we clear community land from unexploded bombs.
“The Bikes against Bombs initiative raises vital funds for MAG’s work around the world. With their support, our teams can clear even more landmines and unexploded bombs helping conflict-affected communities to live free from fear of death and injury, enabling them to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”
