Monday 14 October 2013

The Consortium Rides High for Charity

[caption id="attachment_6991" align="alignright" width="225"]Consortium Bike riders Matt James, Ian Webb and Matt Redwood at the finishing line[/caption]

Following the success of their riders in this year's Paris to Swindon bike ride, we have an update from The Consortium on how their overall fundraising is going and how this is helping their chosen charity for 2013, West Wiltshire Special Needs Activity Scheme (WWSNAS).

Staff raised an amazing total of £3,734 before the ride and the cycling efforts of Matt James and Matt Redwood have added a further £295 so far. They aim to increase their contribution to £500.

Speaking about the bike ride, Matt James said:

“It was a fantastic experience like nothing else I have ever done, it was really challenging however the sense of achievement when we finished was incredible. I would gladly do it all again tomorrow if I had the chance.”

Each year, WWSNAS needs to raise £15,000 towards its operational costs, so The Consortium's efforts this year are making a significant difference.

The WWSNAS's activities includes a play scheme which runs for a two-week period during the summer holidays, giving vital support to children with special needs and their families.

This year, the scheme was able to offer 30 children in the Primary age group and 34 children in the Secondary age group at least one day on the scheme, with activities ranging from swimming and music therapy to a visit from the ‘Little Zoo’ and ‘Ticklish Allsorts’.

Gill Morris, the charity’s chair person said:

girl in red tshirt summer 2013“All in all, this year was a very busy and enjoyable two weeks but without the 100 volunteers – many of whom come back year after year – as well as the co-ordinators, deputies and team leaders, we would not be able to run.  We are very fortunate to have been chosen as The Consortium’s charity of the year for 2013.”

As well as WWSNAS, Matt James, Ian Webb and Matt Redwood are raising funds for Help for Heroes, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and CLIC. Their combined total raised so far for all their nominated charities is £3,573.50.

Future fundraising events in the pipeline for The Consortium include a Race Night and a Christmas Raffle, with all funds raised going to WWSNAS.

1 comment:

  1. Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive21 October 2013 at 07:14

    This is an excellent combination of one of our Flagship Fundraisers with the story of how it's helping a local charity make a difference.

    ReplyDelete