Member Article

Charity cycle challenge given cash boost

A regional house builder has matched the £680 raised by a visually impaired fundraiser about to ride on a tandem bike from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Steve Ewens was selected as one of the first Community Champions by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley; an initiative that sees a pot of £24,000 being donated to support local groups and charities over the next 12 months.

Mr Ewens is looking to raise funds for Bristol-based Lifecycle UK which gives opportunities for disabled people to enjoy cycling. One of its schemes is called ‘Two’s Company’ which gives visually impaired people the chance to ride on the back of a tandem.

Mr Ewens will take on the gruelling near 900 mile trek on the 20th May with his brother, Dave, who will be riding from the front.

He said: “I can’t thank Persimmon enough for this generous donation. I’ve never done anything like this before, but the challenge gives me the opportunity to give something back to Lifecycle UK. Since I first tried tandem cycling three years ago, it has helped me meet other visually impaired people, to accept my sight loss and to find positive ways to enhance my life.”

Nicola Reed, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Severn Valley said the community initiative is an excellent way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works.

She said: “We are very proud to hand over this donation to Steve as he set off on his journey on behalf of Lifecycle UK. It was clear just how much this charity meant to him and how important it was to the local community and it seemed fitting we did what we could to support Steve and Lifecycle UK.” “We now want to hear from more groups and charities as we look to allocate more funding over the next month. All we ask is that the group or charity has already worked hard to raise money themselves, and we will then match this effort with funding of up to £1,000.”

To make a donation and to support Steve on his tandem bike ride from Lands End to John O’Groats then please visit https://www.justgiving.com/Steve-Ewens1.

Visit www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .