Hospitality firm raises £53,000 for charity with epic cycle ride.
A team of staff from Birmingham-based Black and White Hospitality has raised over £53,000 for charity, after they swapped the board room for bicycles and completed a gruelling four day cycle from London to Paris.
The 37-strong team of staff from across Marco Pierre White restaurants, including CEO of Black and White Hospitality, Nick Taplin, financial director Caroline Wilce, and director Shezan Aslam, raised the impressive amount for Action Medical Research – a charity dedicated to improving the health of babies and children.
Setting off from South London on Wednesday 19th July, the convoy of bikes headed through Kent and on to Dover, where they produced their passports and journeyed across the Channel by ferry. Over the four day expedition, the team ticked off Calais, Arras, the Somme, Compiegne and even a World War One memorial in Thiepval, before their ascent on the French capital on Saturday 22nd July. The final stage allowed them to take in the iconic sites of Paris, including the Arc De Triomphe, the Champs-Elysee and the Eiffel Tower.
The hospitality brand, who owns the franchise rights to the four Marco Pierre White restaurants in Birmingham, were inspired to take part in the challenging ride, and to raise money for Action Medical Research for Children, after meeting the Duke of Edinburgh, the charity’s patron, at an event held at Buckingham Palace earlier in the year.
After a full recovery, Nick and Shezan presented a cheque for £53,215 to Lloyds Banking Group’s regional director, Steve Clarke, and relationship director, Jemal Omar.
Nick Taplin said: “It was an amazing experience and everyone made it down the Champs-Elysee and on to the Eiffel Tower. There was a great mix of riders from very experienced to those who had only recently got back on a bike after many, many years – everyone did brilliantly.
“We experienced all sorts of weather conditions from heavy rain, high headwinds, warm sun and humidity. The determination by the team was really commendable and I’d like to thank everyone who took part and for not giving up. There were a few slips and bruises and plenty of punctures, but we all finished the journey with big smiles on our faces. We’ve raised an amazing amount of money which will now go towards helping children and babies not as fortunate as ourselves.
“Plans are already underway for a ride in 2018 with many of the team already signing up,” he added.
If you’d like to support team Black & White Hospitality see here and learn more about Action Medical Research here .
