From Tyne to Thames - cyclists’ 14-year challenge raises more than £580,000 for charity

From Tyne to Thames - cyclists’ 14-year challenge raises more than £580,000 for charity

12 September 2022

A team of charity cyclists from South Yorkshire retail property company, Dransfield Properties, have raised an amazing £37,000 after completing the final leg of a 14-year Tour of Europe. 

The 21 strong team completed the five-day challenge last week (Friday 9th September) after covering 335 miles from The Tyne to The Thames, cycling from Newcastle to London’s Tower Bridge. 

It was a particularly tough route incorporating total climbs of more than 1,600m in just one day and challenging weather conditions throughout the week, but the riders completed their journey in an emotional final push taking them back to where it all began in 2007. 

So far, the team have raised £37,000 with this year’s ride bringing their overall total over the last two decades to £583,000. The money raised this year will be used by the Dransfield Foundation to support children with life limiting illnesses and their families. Donations will also be made to Action Against Cancer and St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield.

Since the first charity ride in 2007 from London to Paris, the team have covered more than 5,000 miles across 14 countries covering punishing routes through Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Portofino, Rome, Dubrovnik, Trieste, Munich, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stavanger, Aberdeen, Newcastle and back to London. 

The annual ride was founded in 2007 by brothers Mark and Paul Dransfield. Mark is the founder and owner of Sheffield based Dransfield Properties Ltd and the independent chain of department stores, Sandersons Boutique. Paul owns PA Contracts which is based in Hull. They took on their first ride as a one off and decided to just keep going – adding to the miles and the fundraising every year. 

After setting off from Letchworth on the final day of the final ride they were joined at Luton by friends, family and supporters for the last few miles of the ride – crossing the finish line at Tower Bridge during a torrential downpour on the afternoon of Friday September 9th. 

Mark Dransfield DL said: “It’s a huge achievement and a really emotional moment to have reached the end of our 14-year fundraising challenge. 

“What started out as a one off quickly became a very personal commitment for myself and the rest of the team to complete the journey and in doing so, help as many disadvantaged children as possible with our fundraising efforts. 

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported our team this year and over the last 14 years – that support really is what keeps us going and is very much appreciated by all of us.” 

Their fundraising endeavours have helped support medical research and purchase vital healthcare equipment for Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, Action Against Cancer and Bloodwise, as well as lots of local initiatives through the Dransfield Foundation. 

One of the team’s biggest achievements was providing a new hydrotherapy pool and block at the Ryegate Centre in Sheffield transforming this facility for the local community with the riders also taking part in volunteer sessions to help complete the work. 

The completion of the ride coincides with celebrations for Dransfield Properties’ 30th year in business. The award-winning company owns and manages successful retail, leisure and mixed-use centres across the UK. 

There is still time to support the cyclists and ensure the total reaches the group’s goal of £600,000 by donating here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dransfield-foundation 

The 2022 Bike Ride 

• Day 1, September 5th: NEWCASTLE TO ALDWARK (76.6 MILES / 123 KM) 

• Day 2, September 6th: ALDWARK TO WORTLEY (57.4 MILES / 92.5 KM) 

• Day 3, September 7th: WORTLEY TO MARKET BOSWORTH (82 MILES / 132 KM) 

• Day 4: September 8th: MARKET BOSWORTH TO LETCHWORTH (89.4 MILES / 144 KM) 

• Day 5: September 9th: LETCHWORTH TO LONDON (45.5 MILES / 73 KM) 

This year’s riders were: Mark Dransfield, Rebecca Dransfield, Andrew Malley, Simon Bland, Mark Yardley, Alec Cammish, Tim Downing, Paul Dransfield, Nigel Bennett, Pete Swift, Sir Gary Verity, Phillip Prince, Tom Meagher, Ian Etherington, Chris Green, James Taylor, Tom Reynolds and Lee Newsham. 

The support team was Paul Anderson and John White.

ENDS

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk