Member Article

Mazars’ Leeds office team complete 400K cycle challenge

A team from the Leeds office of international accountancy firm Mazars has completed a 400km cycle challenge from Leeds to Edinburgh and raised £6,376 – exceeding their set fundraising target for their chosen charity The National Autistic Society, with the amount still rising as donations continue to come in.

Team members (including novice cyclists) that undertook the challenge were Ashley Barraclough, Sophie Earnshaw, Alex Baskeyfield, Chris Calverley, Jon Hayward, Andrew Harrop, Richard Walker, Luke Johnson, Lisa Quickfall, Bethan Hughes and Emma Thornhill (support and logistics). The team started in Leeds on 31st August and finished on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile on 3rd September. They followed the castles and coasts route which comprised some scenic and challenging climbs.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people see and interact with others and with the world around them. More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum. This means that someone sees, hears and feels the world in a different, often more intense, way to other people. The National Autistic Society is the leading UK charity for autistic people and their families, providing information, support and services, and campaigning for a world in which autistic people are understood.

Team member, Ashley Barraclough explains why the inexperienced team has chosen this gruelling challenge to raise funds for The National Autistic Society. Ashley Barraclough from Mazars said:

“The National Autistic Society provided my family with tremendous support during the difficult time before and after our son’s diagnosis – I cannot thank them enough. A special thanks to my team mates Emma, Richard, Chris, Bethan, Sophie, Jon, Luke, Lisa, Alex and Andrew for their support of a charity that is so close to my heart. Our team of cyclists includes novices so this has been a real challenge and has been quite tough at times but the support and incredible generosity of our colleagues, friends and business associates has made it all worth it. Huge thanks to everyone who has donated.”

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society, said:

“It’s incredible to see the whole team of novice cyclists from Mazars group supporting each other to complete this ambitious cycling challenge, and we’re so grateful for their amazing donation of £6,376.

“At the National Autistic Society, we know that better understanding of autism is the key to making a world where every autistic person is supported and appreciated. By completing this 400km cycle and speaking about his son, Ashley and his team are helping to increase understanding, and their donation will allow the charity to provide more support to autistic people and families, whether that goes to supporting our branches, running our helpline, or through our direct services across the UK.”

“We rely on the support of the public so we can continue to support autistic people and their families, and any donation we receive goes toward making a better world for those on the autism spectrum.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Caroline Marsden .