The Benevolent bike ride raises £13k

UK drinks industry charity, The Benevolent, has raised over £13,000 from its bike ride in memory of its former chairman and Treasury Wine Estate managing director, Dan Townsend.

The charity bike ride, which took place yesterday (13/08/2017), saw 30 riders join organisers Andrew Shaw, group wine buying director at Conviviality Plc, and Philip Tuck MW, wine director at Hatch Mansfield.

Beginning at Ridgeview Wine Estate in Sussex, the riders set off on a 100km journey to London via Leith Hill and Box Hill. En route, the peloton were treated to refreshments at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey, hosted by The Benevolent’s trustee Andrew Reed. The ride ended at Treasury Wine Estates’ headquarters in Twickenham and was followed by a post-ride BBQ and drinks reception, provided by TWE.

Townsend’s wife and daughter, Mel and Rose, greeted the riders in Twickenham surrounded by friends and family members.

David Cox, chief executive of The Benevolent commented: “This was yet another example of how this wonderful trade comes together as a true community in order to help others. I would like to thank everyone involved but especially all the incredibly generous donors. You have made a real difference”.

Andrew Shaw, group wine buying director at Conviviality PLC: “‘We’ve been overwhelmed with the levels of trade support and generosity for the Bike Ride in memory of Dan. Speaking on behalf of all involved I would like to thank all the organisers, hosts, sponsors, riders, supporters and to the team at the Benevolent for what was a brilliant day out in the saddle to commemorate Dan. So many great characters from the trade joined us in a day in the sunshine full of camaraderie, humour, team-spirit, and a healthy dose of hard-graft – a very fitting tribute to great man.”

If you would like to contribute, donations are still possible and can be made here.