Bristol Airport Employees Complete Epic 180-Mile Bike Ride to Raise a Record £110,000 for Children’s Hospice South West

Held on 10 and 11 September, Bristol Airport employees and business partners embarked on the epic 180-mile bike ride which started in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, and ended at Bristol Airport, tackling a mixture of scenic countryside, coastal paths, roads and gravel tracks.

One of the highlights of the ride was a stop at Children’s Hospice South West’s Charlton Farm in Wraxall, where the cyclists stopped to meet the Hospice team. This was the final stop before the last stretch to the finish line at Bristol Airport. Part of the cycling team included members of the Bristol Airport’s Executive Team, including Dave Lees, CEO.

While riders tackled the physical route, colleagues back at the terminal took on the challenge by cycling the equivalent distance on exercise bikes in the departure lounge, with both passengers and visitors getting behind the fundraising effort and showing their support.

Children’s Hospice South West is dedicated to making the most of short and precious lives by providing compassionate, expert, family-centred hospice care and support for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions across the South West. Funds from this cycle ride will go directly towards the outstanding hospice care, emotional support and enriching experiences for families facing the unimaginable and making the most of every moment together.

Bristol Airport would like to thank Griffiths, Whiteheads, Ryebridge, PLS, J&G Fencing, Zoeftig, Lagan, Farrans, D5, CHASE Consulting, Stantec, Statom, G2 Signs, Pro-electric, Burroughs, Morgan LaRoche, All Power, Novus Project Management, Volkerfitzpatrick, Aureos, AMP Architects, Encon, V3 Group and Massey Cladding for their generous support and kind donations towards the bike ride.

The event organisers would also like to thank Rapid Relief Team for providing refreshments and snacks for the cyclists and various points along the route.

Paul Courtney, Director of Fundraising at CHSW, said:

“We often talk about people ‘going the extra mile’ to support local children and families, but this takes it to a whole new level! We are so grateful to every member of the Airport’s cycle challenge team and all those that helped them achieve such an incredible total! Every gruelling turn of those pedals and every single donation made is helping to ensure children and families right across the South West receive the specialist care and support they need – wherever and whenever they need it most."

Andrew Goodenough, Infrastructure Director at Bristol Airport, said:

“The dedication shown by our colleagues and business partners throughout this challenge has been truly inspiring. Together, they have raised an incredible £110,000 for our charity partner, Children’s Hospice South West, which is the largest amount ever raised through an Airport charity event. This fantastic total will help Children’s Hospice South West support families who are going through the most unimaginable and challenging times.
The efforts of our colleagues, both on the bike ride and in the terminal, demonstrate the incredible generosity and community team spirit that exists across Bristol Airport.”