Member Article

Leeds accountants saddle up for charity bike ride

Staff from accountancy firm Baker Tilly in Leeds have played their part in a nationwide bike ride, cycling 66 miles from Leeds to Preston, to raise money for charity.

The Tour de Baker Tilly is a national bike ride covering over 700 miles and stopping at 18 Baker Tilly offices on the way. Starting at the firm’s Glasgow office and running south, the challenge involves over 350 of the firm’s staff, together with guests and business contacts.

On the fourth leg of the event, 14 staff from Baker Tilly in Leeds were joined by 22 guests from local firms including HSBC, Cerberus Group, Bond Dickinson, Napthens and Handelsbanken.

The Tour de Baker Tilly, which is now in its second year, is being held to raise money for the firm’s supported national charities, Anthony Nolan and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Kevin O’Connor, Baker Tilly’s Regional Managing Partner for Yorkshire and the North East said: ‘There’s a huge enthusiasm for cycling following the success of the Tour de France in Yorkshire last year, and this event is a fantastic way of bringing together our staff and guests to raise much needed funds for Anthony Nolan and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The work that both charities carry out has changed the lives of so many people, and I am delighted that we are able to show our support for them again this year.’

Laura Parsell, Senior Fundraising Manager at Anthony Nolan said ‘We’re delighted to be a beneficiary charity of the 2nd Tour de Baker Tilly cycle ride. It’s a fantastic challenge and we’re so grateful to everyone that has signed up to raise funds for Anthony Nolan. The money raised from Tour de Baker Tilly will enable us to recruit more donors to our register and give more people with blood cancer the chance of life.’

Jacqui Larcombe, Fundraising Director at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) said: ‘As a long-standing supporter of the DofE we can’t thank Baker Tilly staff and clients enough for their continued generosity. They’ve taken on the Tour de Baker Tilly challenge in true DofE spirit with passion and commitment. We know they will be giving it their all in their fundraising efforts, which will go towards transforming the lives of so many young people.’

The event has been supported by Njinga Cycling who are providing coaching and on-road support to riders throughout the entire ride.

People wishing to support the event are encouraged to donate by visiting the Tour de Baker Tilly Virgin Money Giving page.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Frank Shepherd .