Helping Heroes: from Land’s End to Twickenham

Completing the challenge: arriving at Twickenham

Congratulations to our Auditel colleague, Laurence Fitch, who has completed this year’s Great British Bike Ride from Land’s End to Twickenham. Most of the 200 riders who started in Cornwall completed the gruelling 335-mile, 27-hour journey and  crossed the finish line in front of 70,000 cheering rugby fans, friends and family, in the process raising over £90,000 for Help for Heroes, The Rugby Players Association Benevolent Fund and the RFU Injured Players.

As Laurence says, “It was a lot harder than I expected especially coming through Devon & Cornwall but it was all worth it when we cycled into Twickenham to complete the route – 70,000 rugby fans standing to clap us around the pitch at Twickenham was something that I will never forget.  One very special moment was cycling the last ½ mile to the ground being led by a soldier who had lost both legs in Afghanistan on a specially adapted bike…made you really realise what it had all been about.”

If you want to support the riders who’ve completed this year’s challenge, you can still make a donation, or if you’ve been inspired to get on your bike for charity registration for next year’s event is already open.

Auditel consultant gets on his bike to help heroes

Well done to Auditel consultant Laurence Fitch who has entered the first ever ‘Lexus Great British Bike Ride’ to raise money for a number of charities, including ‘Help for Heroes’. The four-day bike ride, which takes place 1st – 4^th September 2010 between Lands End and Twickenham, will be the first in a series of annual events aiming to raise £1.5 million for charity over the next five years and is designed for all cycling enthusiasts, sportsmen and women, who want to take on a real challenge and raise some much appreciated funds.

As Laurence, who spent 14 years in the RAF, says: Read more…

A marathon effort to raise funds for BLESMA

Journeys end: James (left) and Thane (right) complete their epic challenge

You may remember that a few weeks ago I posted a blog about James Bury’s plan to walk and run the equivalent of four marathons to raise money for his client, BLESMA (British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association). Well, I’m glad to report that despite choosing one of the hottest weekends of the year James and his friend, Thane Hall, successfully completed this gruelling challenge well within the 48-hour time they’d set themselves, completing the 102.5-mile, Southdowns Way between Winchester and Eastbourne in just 39 hours.

James says, “ Apart from some wear and tear, I feel great, despite having to stand on the train back to Winchester! A big thank you to everyone who’s supported us and BLESMA – that support made all the difference when it looked like it might be difficult to finish. Also a very special thanks to Thane for coming up with the idea, and for proving to be a faultless navigator even at night after 70 miles non-stop! BLESMA is an amazing charity that supports those who have suffered serious injury serving their country. For every death reported in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are probably two or three very seriously wounded, who are almost always young people with their whole lives ahead of them. While they can provide plenty of courage and determination they do need specialist help, encouragement and opportunities to rebuild their lives. We’ve raised £2,000 in sponsorship so far, which I’m really thrilled about as every donation to BLESMA, however modest, is going to a very deserving cause.”

Auditel Consultant goes the extra miles for ex-servicemen’s charity

Good luck to Auditel Consultant James Bury who is setting off today to run/walk the equivalent of 4 marathons in 2 days to raise funds for the British Limbless Ex-servicemen’s Association. This is an organisation that works tirelessly to help servicemen and women who have lost limbs or eyes and, very sadly, the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq means demand for their services is increasing daily. James has been providing cost reduction services to BLESMA for several years but wants to go further in raising both funds for and awareness of their phenomenal work. Appropriately enough, given the city’s association with the armed forces and Wednesday’s homecoming parade, James will be starting his epic trek in Winchester and will be making his way along the South Downs Way to Eastbourne, over 100 miles away.  His aim is to do it in under 48 hours, but with good weather and a fair wind, hopes to be quite a bit quicker. So far James has raised over £700 in sponsorship and been really delighted by the enthusiastic backing of so many people. It demonstrates tremendous support for our forces, and the strong desire to help those who have sacrificed so much.