Leading figures in Bristol’s media sector are training hard for a grueling 430km cycle ride to Paris to raise funds for local hospitals charity Above & Beyond’s biggest-ever £6m Golden Gift Appeal.
The intrepid Bristol Media Team will join staff from a range of firms across the city for the Above & Beyond business cycle challenge in May, with the aim of completing it in four days.
Among those saddling up from the creative industries are Jonnie Galvin-Wright, managing director of Stuff Advertising and a director of Bristol Media, Mark Mason, entrepreneur and CEO of app developer Mubaloo, Ben Heald, CEO of Sift, Chris Thurling, an adviser on digital strategy, innovation and marketing who includes Sawday’s amongst his own clients, and Christian Tait, creative director of Creative Cadence.
In total more than 70 cyclists will set off on the journey to Portsmouth before crossing the Channel, passing through the historic towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside of northern France and finishing with a Parisian flourish at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
The teams’ goal is to raise £100,000 for the Golden Gift Appeal – funds that would go towards an additional individual room at the Bristol Royal Infirmary to give a patient with life-limiting Cystic Fibrosis added privacy, and dignity in care.
The room would also offer these patients the space for vital physiotherapy equipment, and for loved ones to stay close by.
Jonnie Galvin-Wright, who is also acting business ambassador for the Bristol-to-Paris Cycle Challenge, said: “I was asked last year to take up this challenge by Above & Beyond, who also happen to be a client of my agency.
“As a local businessman, I feel very passionate about supporting our hospitals which is why I’m taking part. Given my involvement with Bristol Media, I was in a position to help put a team together to take on the challenge – and it is a challenge.
“Above and Beyond is one of Bristol’s most important causes. All of us in the Bristol Media team are keen to make a difference.”
Jonnie says for him it has also been a journey of MAMIL discovery (the dreaded Middle Aged Men in Lycra).
“It’s great to get back on my bike again which, in Bristol, brings many health benefits,” he said.
“I’m glad to say the team are taking their training seriously and the hills of Bristol and the wider region are proving a good training ground for us all.”
The team are looking for sponsorship and hope Bristol’s media community and others will support them.
Every donation will make a real difference to patient care in Bristol.
Donations can be made at: https://bristoltopariscyclechallenge.everydayhero.com/uk/team-bristol-media
Bristol Business News will follow the team’s progress with regular updates and a name check for any businesses pledging their support.
Pictured from left: Ben Heald, Chris Thurling and Jonnie Galvin-Wright. Photo by Jon Craig
