News

20k raised cycling for Benevolent

20 July 2011 By Patrick Schmitt

A wine industry bicycling challenge has raised over £20,000 for charity.

Last June a small group of keen cyclists from a range of wine-related jobs cycled from Champagne to Tain l’Hermitage in four days to raise money for The Wine and Spirit Trades’ Benevolent Society.

The ordeal, which involved over 600km of riding, was organised by Mentzendorff managing director Andrew Hawes to celebrate the Benevolent’s 125th anniversary, with each of the participating cyclists attempting to raise over £1,000 for the Benevolent.

Having completed the challenge and fundraising, it has just been announced that £20,134 has been amassed for the charity and a cheque will be presented to the Benevolent’s chief executive Cheng Loo tomorrow evening (Thursday, 21 July).

Among the ten cyclists was db editor Patrick Schmitt, whose report on the ride can be read here.

Patrick managed to raise £1,680 thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the drinks trade.

A particular thanks goes to his sponsors, listed on the next page, as well as the team at Bollinger for their support during the ride (Jérôme Philipon, Hervé Augustin and Stephen Leroux); Katie and Lucy at Mentzendorff for sustenance and map reading; Graham for skillful driving and constant encouragment; Chanson’s Gilles de Courcel for an incredible dinner and extremely good night’s sleep at his family château on day two; and Michel Chapoutier and Pierre-Henri Morel for a magnificent reception at Hermitage, complete with cycling pros, Champagne and dinner under the stars.

Thanks to:

Alan Lodge

Andy Smith

Anna Harris-Noble

Anna Krebiehl

Anthony Hawser

Asa W Karlsson

Ben Smith

Bert Grant

Bethan Wallace

Camilla Bowler

Chris Skyrme