Eight staff from accountants BDO’s Bristol base are joining more than 80 colleagues from the firm’s other offices later this week in a John O’Groats-to-Land’s End charity bike ride.
The gruelling 900-mile challenge starts this Friday and will finish 10 days later, with the Bristol team hoping to raise £250,000 for chosen local charity Penny Brohn Cancer Care, which provides support to men and women affected by cancer, as well as their families.
Half the 90 BDO staff taking part will cycle the full route with the others riding at least one leg of the journey. The team will cycle an average of 90 miles a day, across some of the UK’s most beautiful but demanding terrains.
The BDO Bristol team includes senior manager John Talbot (pictured) and Philip Miller, Solene Hie, Elliott Hodges, Jos Burkill, Tomas Zalys, Ronan Brophy and David Cross.
Also taking part are the national managing partner Simon Michaels and head of regions Jeff Jones.
John Talbot said: “It is an exciting yet nerve-wracking challenge that will no doubt push us all to our limits. But we are aiming to raise considerable amounts of money for a very worthwhile cause and we are proud to play a part in that.
“We encourage everyone, from friends and family, clients and contacts, to rally up support and help us achieve our £250,000 target.”
BDO offers all staff six paid working days a year for community volunteering projects and charities. The Bristol team has already kicked off its fundraising with a spinathon at Cabot Circus when staff cycled more than 900 miles in one day on static bikes.
Other fundraising activities include taking part in a dragon boat race and the forthcoming Chew Valley Bed Race, as well as cake bake sales and dress down days in the office.
Hotel chain Premier Inn is providing the riders and support crew with overnight accommodation across the UK during the challenge.
For more information and or sponsor the BDO team in its One Firm Challenge, visit www.bdo.co.uk/bdobikeride and follow their progress on Twitter at @BDObikeride.
