Member Article

Equilibrium partner conquers 364-mile cycle for charity

A Manchester financial planner has conquered a mammoth 364-mile expedition from Geneva to Nice to raise £8,000 for Greater Manchester charity Reuben’s Retreat.

Jason Lowe, partner and financial planner at Wilmslow-based Equilibrium Asset Management, completed the journey in four days, overcoming a continuous 18-mile Alpine climb to 21,000 feet as part of his fundraising efforts for the charity, which supports families with children suffering life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses.

Speaking about his momentous bike ride, Jason said: “It was a fantastic and difficult experience navigating the ups and downs of the Alps.

“I’ve never been known for my sense of direction and on the second day, which was also the longest at 90 miles, I went the wrong way and ended up cycling 105 miles in 30-degree heat.

“This meant I actually cycled further than anyone else in the 36-strong group, which surprised everyone since the furthest I’d cycled before taking on this challenge was only 53 miles.”

The funding raised by Jason was matched by The Equilibrium Foundation, which supports charitable causes across the region.

Debbie Jukes, partner at Equilibrium Asset Management, said: “The Equilibrium Foundation was established to support fantastic causes in the region just like this.

“For Jason to have cycled four days straight, climbing the Alps as he rode from Geneva to Nice, is an unbelievable feat.

“We are so pleased to have helped him meet his fundraising target for a really important local charity. We know the money raised will go to a really worthwhile cause, helping support families who find themselves in unimaginably tragic circumstances.”

Reuben’s Retreat is situated in the Peak District and offers a place for families with children suffering from life-changing illnesses to spend valuable time together in a relaxing recreational environment.

The charity also offers counselling and support for parents who have lost children because of illness.

Speaking about the charity, Jason said: “I wanted to support Reuben’s Retreat because they are a fantastic local charity who rely on independent funding.

“When I saw the work that Reuben’s Retreat do it really motivated me to help them in some way. It’s important to give back to the local community and that’s what inspired me to take on the cycling challenge.”

Money raised for the charity is being used to refurbish the building and community engagement. The first phase of refurbishment, which will see the creation of a bereavement counselling support centre, began in February 2015.

Further funds raised will be dedicated to engaging with the community and converting the main building into a day care facility with four self-catered apartments for families supported by the charity.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lucy Oates .