Brett Riders Help Raise Funds For Children’s Charity
The Brett Group recently sponsored and took part in the third annual ‘Ziggurat’ bike ride organised by Children’s charity Action Medical Research to raise funds for research into childhood diseases.
This year’s challenge saw more than 40 riders representing the construction and built environment sector set off from London on Wednesday 18 September heading for the Glade of Armistice in the Forest of Compiegne in Picardy, France, via Dunkirk, Arras, Saint Quinten.
Riding over 340 miles with a climb of more than 12,000 feet, the route took the riders through some historical sites from WW1 including the Menin Gate, Ypres and the Thiepval Memorial for the missing of the Somme.
Bill Brett, Tim Smith and Luke Smith from Brett joined other cyclists from a number of companies including Volkerwessels, GRS, Balfour Beatty, Willmott Dixon, Construction Europe, Laing O-Rourke, Jewson and CLOCS.
Event Manager Sarah Stevenson said: “We are delighted to have seen so many different companies taking part this year - the most we have ever had.”
Historian John Harris joined the riders at stops along the way for the full four days where he spoke in small groups to the riders about the significance of the memorials.
Brett Group has raised over £80,000 over three rides for the charity, Bill Brett commented, “we are so pleased to have given our support to Action Medical Research once again and extend our thanks to all our sponsors – plus we had the privilege of visiting these important sites to pay our respects to those who gave their lives in WW1.”
Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity which funds research to tackle the diseases affecting children. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952, helping to introduce the first polio vaccines, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine. Action is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, asthma, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.
Sarah said: “On behalf of Action I would like to thank everyone who took part and helped support this event, including our brilliant sponsors Brett and Grafton”.
If you would like to get involved – or even just find out more – you can email Sarah on sarahs@action.org.uk