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Chris Porter to visit all 91 football league grounds to raise money for The Benevolent

Published:  13 January, 2014

Chris Porter, chairman of the drinks charity, The Benevolent, is to set out on a fundraising attempt to visit all 91 football league league by using a combination of train, tram and bike.

Chris Porter Chris Porter is all set for his football challenge 

Chris Porter, chairman of the drinks charity, The Benevolent, is to set out on a fundraising attempt to visit all 91 football league league by using a combination of train, tram and bike.

He is to embark on his 'Around the Grounds in 14 Days' from May 12 when he sets off Carrow Road, home of Norwich City Football Club and then look to finish two weeks later at Selhurst Park, the ground of Crystal Palace Football Club on May 25. 

Porter, who is also director of the Porter & Laker division of the drinks logistics supplier, JF Hillebrand, will also use the fundraising iniaitive trip to highlight the importance of the supply chain, environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility to the UK drinks industry.

During the challenge Porter will travel to the station closest to each football league ground, then make the journey from station to ground and back by bike thereby minimising his carbon footprint. It is hoped drinks companies and retailers close to the football grounds involved will also get behind the challenge by holding their own fund raising initiatives to tie in with Porter's visit and help raise money for the charity.

Porter said: "JF Hillebrand UK and Porter & Laker are market leaders in providing logistical support to the drinks industry and an increasingly significant aspect of our work revolves around environmental sustainability. It therefore seemed logical that my Chairman's challenge reflect the strengths of my company, as well as my love for football. I am excited that this challenge brings together my professional commitment and personal passion in aid of a great cause, our trade charity The Benevolent. Your support will keep me going over the course of the challenge so please donate what you can to help our vulnerable colleagues in need."

Alison Mann

David Cox, chief executive of The Benevolent, added: "Our Charity is truly lucky to have such a wonderfully committed Chairman in Chris Porter and this innovative fundraising initiative is going to be terrifically valuable for us and will allow the charity to augment significantly the support we provide to those who need help."

You can find out more about the challenge and make a donation by visiting www.aroundthegrounds2014.com.

The fundraising attempt was announced at last Friday's Vintner's Wine Trade lunch organised by the Worshipful Company of Vinterns which helped raise £9,200 for the charity and included a speech from guest speaker, Sir Lockwood Smith, the New Zealand high commissioner.

Alison Mann Alison MannAlison Mann

The lunch also saw the first recipient of a new Vintners' Benevolent Award established by The Vintners' Foundation to "acknowledge and celebrate a member of the trade, below senior management level, who has actively and passionately worked to support The Benevolent". 

The award went to Alison Mann, of Emma Wellings PR, who said the Benevolent has "consistently proved herself an impassioned and educated advocate for The Benevolent, as well as actively supporting both the planning and execution of Benevolent initiatives and events". You can find out more about the challenge and make a donation by visiting www.aroundthegrounds2014.com

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