This year’s Pedalling for Pub campaign has raised £320,00 for industry charities The Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away.
The Pedalling for Pubs team celebrate their fundraising success at the event wrap party
The figure — which smashes last year’s total of £274,000 — was revealed by ride founder, KAM managing director Katy Moses, at a wrap party, hosted by Lucky Saint.
The sum was raised by 26 riders from the hospitality industry, who tackled more than 450km of hills and challenging terrain this April, journeying across Sri Lanka from coast to coast.
Alongside the cyclists, the total was boosted thanks to supporting partners and sponsors, which included KAM, Greene King, Punch Pubs, Wireless Social, Lucky Saint, BII, Airship/Toggle, Barclaycard, and Fleet Street.
Also confirmed at the wrap party was the destination for Pedalling for Pubs 2024, with fundraisers set to cycle across Kenya. Applications to take part in this challenge are now open.
Katy said: “I’m stunned by the amount raised! Fundraising for the inaugural ride came in over a significantly longer period, due to delays from Covid, so we didn’t think we’d get close to the 2022 total. To not only reach last year’s total, but to smash it, is testament to how hard all fundraisers have worked, and how much the industry has gotten behind this challenge.
“A huge congratulations to the riders on completing, what I can tell you, was a gruelling test of endurance, and thank you so much to everyone who fundraised, sponsored, and donated. The money raised from Pedalling for Pubs 2023 will be invaluable in supporting the Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away deliver such vital work in our industry.”
Riders who successfully completed Pedalling for Pubs 2023 all come from the hospitality and foodservice industries, and include the likes of Katy, Clive Chesser, of Punch Pubs, Olivia Fitzgerald, of Zonal, Aaron Duffett, of Lucky Saint, Mark Robson, of New Dawn Pubs, Hamish Stoddart, of Peach Pubs, Jackie Marlow, of UKHospitality, Luci Cunningham, of Airship/Toggle, and Mark Stretton of Fleet Street. The full list of riders can be viewed on the Pedalling for Pubs donation page.
Greg Mangham, chief executive of Only A Pavement Away, said: “This fundraising enables us to hire two more relationship managers, which massively increases the number of veterans, prison leavers, and people facing homelessness that we are able to support back into employment, which in turn puts huge amounts of money back into the economy, while helping the hospitality industry find solutions to the staffing crisis.
“Thank you to Katy, the supporters, sponsors, and riders. What you’ve accomplished is incredible, and the money you’ve raised will make a big difference to so many people.”
Paula Smith, head of marketing at the Licensed Trade Charity,added: “As one of the riders in Sri Lanka, I can confirm that 450km over five days was no mean feat. I don’t know if I’d have gotten over the line if it wasn’t for the incredible support of my fellow riders. Congratulations to everyone involved,and thanks so much for all your effort in raising these vital funds. It makes the aches and pains all worth it!
Fundraising for the two charities continues with the inaugural Pedalling 2 Pubs UK Edition, taking place between 9th and 11th June, with Steve Alton, chief executive of the British Institute of Innkeeping, riding with 50 people from across the hospitality sector 240km across the Yorkshire Wolds.
