Staff at the Manchester offices of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP channelled their inner Geraint Thomas/Laura Kenny on a 1064 kilometres bike challenge to raise more than £5,000 in aid of Manchester’s St Ann’s hospice.
Thirty keen riders who work for the firm saddled up on static bikes at the solicitor’s offices in Spring Gardens to cycle the equivalent of visiting each of Clarke Willmott’s offices across the country.
Emma Hamnett, partner at Clarke Willmott said: “It was tough and exhausting, but a huge amount of fun. It felt wonderful to know that with each kilometre we ‘travelled’ the more money we were raising to help patients and families.
“And by involving our other offices – telling them they will be receiving a virtual visit by bicycle from us – we have been able to involve others in the firm nationally. We would like to thank everyone, including all the local businesses who so generously sponsored us, in particular Pure Gym for loaning us the bikes and some great instructors to get us through the day. Also huge thanks to the lovely Gethin Jones from Hits Breakfast who popped in to lend his support promising to don his lycra and join us for our next event.”
The challenge kicked off at 8am and the team took just seven to complete the ‘cross country’ dash. Riders taking part included Clarke Willmott’s chief executive, Stephen Rosser, and colleagues from the firm’s Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham office,
On the first leg of the ride, the team cycled the 322 kilometres to London, then it was down to Southampton, across to Taunton and Bristol, into Wales for Cardiff, up to Birmingham and back to Spring Gardens – all without leaving the office.
The day before the ride some staff members reflected on what hospice care meant to them, having lost loved ones who spend their final days cared for by St Ann’s hospice or other local hospices. Staff shared their reflections via social media and on the day which was a pertinent reminder of why the event was so important to them.
The Manchester office has adopted St Ann’s as its charity for 2019 and will be organising a series of fund-raising events throughout the year.
Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with seven offices across the country, including Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
