Travel companies are being sought to sponsor a cycle challenge to raise money for Reuben’s Retreat as the industry continues to get behind the charity.
A team of 26 people have so far signed up to get on their bikes for the 88-mile midsummer night ride from Manchester to Llandudno on June 21.
Organisers Nicole Eaves, director of Garstang Travel, and John Drogan, sales director at Golden Eagle Luxury Train, hope to raise more than £5,000 and have issued a plea for travel companies to sponsor the event.
Nicole, a keen cyclist, said: “We are looking for travel companies to help us raise as much sponsorship as possible.”
They are also looking for more travel employees to take part. Among the well-known industry names taking part are Barbara Kolosinska, of C&M Travel Recruitment.
She said: “I appreciate times are tough at the moment so even the smallest of donations would be so greatly welcomed by the team and Reuben’s Retreat. You can also have a good old laugh at us finishing at 8am on the Saturday crippled with aches and pains!”
Reuben’s Retreat was set up by Nicola and Michael Graham after their 23-month-old son Reuben passed away last year after contracting a rare, aggressive brain tumour.
Nicola is now leaving her job as trade relations manager at Red Sea Holidays to focus fully on the charity.
Reuben’s Retreat project manager Ali Rothwell said the travel industry was continuing to support the charity in memory of Reuben.
So far the charity has raised just over £280,000 to build and run a retreat for families with children suffering life-threatening illnesses. “We’re on target and the fundraising is continuing,” added Rothwell.
Recent industry fundraising efforts include the Geordie Ball, where £2,000 was raised on the night, the Global Travel Group conference, where £3,027 was raised, and a charity dinner, raffle and karaoke organised by Travel Counsellor Sharon Matthews, which collected £850.
As well as the cycle challenge, 12 out of 39 travel industry teams taking part in July’s Travel Trade Crusade are supporting Reuben’s Retreat.
It is hoped each team will raise at least £1,000 for the car drive from Calais across five European countries and finishing in Amsterdam.
Rothwell said: “We really want to thank everyone for all their efforts but we want to keep the pace going and we still need more people to get on board no matter how small their event or donation.”
A recent interview by Rothwell and Nicola for an interview on Sky TV’s Holiday and Cruise Channel (Sky Channel 284) at Liverpool Cruise Club, broadcast on March 15 and 17, has also led to increased website views and more donations, said Rothwell.
To become a sponsor of the cycle challenge or take part call Nicole Eaves on 07802 855608 or Barbara Kolosinska on 07507 602069. Details on reubensretreat.org. To donate go to: http://www.Justgiving.com/teams/ReubensRetreatMidnightRiders.