A 100-mile cycle ride raises £3,400 for wine trade charity

By Erin Smith

Published: 22 May, 2014

On May 16 and 17 a group of seven people from the wine trade completed a 100 mile cycle ride called the South Downs Way Challenge and raised £3,400 for The Benevolent.

The riders started from the Winchester Cathedral and the route included some of most challenging hills on the South Coast with a vertical ascent totalling 12,600 feet.

Will Oatley, from Louis Latour Agencies, said: "Alfriston Hill is forever engrained in my memory as one the hardest climbs I've ever done, but we had great fun doing this challenge and the scenery more than made up for the pain. I think we raised a decent amount for a brilliant cause."

Ben Watkins of the Guildford Wine Company, Matt Shelley of Fells, and a team of four riders from Berry Bros & Rudd; Matt Tipping, Chris Mathews, Barbara Foley and Magda Wisniowskai along with Oatley completed the route over one of the warmest weekends in England this year and ended the South Downs Way Challenge at Beachy Head on Saturday evening.

The Benevolent's chief executive, David Cox, said: "South Downs Way Challenge is a wonderful example of the type of fund-raising initiatives that really help us build our much-needed funds so that we can support people from our trade less fortunate than us. We are truly grateful."

The Benevolent helps those in the drinks trade facing personal challenges including serious medical or financial hardship or any other workplace or home difficulties. The charity supports current and past employees of any drinks company in any sector or channel who are facing difficult circumstances including serious illness, disability, issues with debt or family crisis such as an a seriously ill partner or child.

In March The Benevolent Ball, the annual auction that the charity hosts, raised over £40,000. The Benevolent will be hosting a party to help raise funds on the final evening of the London Wine Fair at the Kensington Roof Gardens. Tickets are £45 each and for those interested, please email Eleanor Perry.

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