Benevolent Chairman to visit 91 football grounds for charity

Chairman of The Benevolent, Chris Porter is planning to visit all 91 of the UK’s league football grounds in 14 days without a car to raise funds for the drinks industry charity.

Chris Porter with his Brompton folding bicycle which he intends to use to tour 91 football grounds using trains and pedal power

Using only a combination of train, tram and pedal-bike, Porter will start at Norwich City Football Club on Monday 12 May and finish at Crystal Palace Football Club on Sunday 25 May.

The challenge, dubbed Around the Grounds in 14 Days, was announced at the Vintners’ Wine Trade Lunch on 10 January, which raised £9,200 for the Benevolent (see cheque pictured below).

Porter, who works for the Porter & Laker division at drinks logistics specialists JF Hillebrand, said his challenge has been designed to highlight the importance of logistics, environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility to the UK drinks industry, as well as raise funds for The Benevolent.

“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,” said Porter.

“It therefore seemed logical that my Chairman’s Challenge reflect the strengths of my company, as well as my love for football,” he added.

David Cox, chief executive of The Benevolent commented: “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”.

During the Challenge Chris will travel to the station closest to each football league ground, then make the journey from station to ground and back on pedal bike thereby minimising his carbon footprint.

Benevolent supporters and beneficiaries around the country are being invited to cheer Chris on along the route and companies are being urged to organise their own fundraising initiatives on one of the days of the Challenge in May.

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

A cheque for £9,200 raised at the Vintners’ Wine Trade Lunch. Left to right: Chris Porter, Anthony Sykes and David Cox