KPMG Bristol riders take on Wheely Big Cycle for NSPCC

News
05/07/2019

More than 400 people are taking on KPMG’s Wheely Big Cycle in aid of the NSPCC. KPMG joined forces with the charity in April 2018, aiming to raise over £1.5m to provide hundreds of thousands of children with vital information that will help them have happier and safer childhoods.


The event is joining up all of KPMG’s offices spanning the length and breadth of the country, as the bike ride stops at each office along the way. There are two routes; one started in Aberdeen on Thursday 20 June and the Southern-leg kicked off yesterday in Plymouth. Both will finish together with a celebration event in Canary Wharf on Wednesday 3 July 2019.


85 riders are taking part in the 500-mile Southern-leg of the bike ride, with 55 pausing for a well-earned picnic pit-stop picnic in Queen Square outside KPMG’s Bristol offices earlier today. Bristol Office Senior Partner Andrew Hodgson, who rode the 55 miles between Taunton and Bristol, commented:

“We’ve had a great day. The sun’s been shining and there’s been lots of laughter. And to top it all, this event has already raised £104,000 for the NSPCC proving that raising money for a great charity can be really good fun.”


Dan Vince, audit manager, at KPMG in Bristol, is cycling the full Southern-leg alongside his fiancé. He added:

“We’ve been talking about getting into cycling for a while, so when this challenge came up we saw it as the perfect opportunity to get started. We bought our first road bikes only three months ago and training has been interrupted by other commitments, the Great British weather and a persistent thigh injury, so we're fully expecting a 500+ mile ride to be a test of both physical and mental endurance. However, we know the pain we go through over the course of a week is nothing compared to the lifetime of suffering that the NSPCC helps to prevent through its work. We’re hoping to inspire others to donate and to take part in fundraising so together we can make a big difference to people’s lives.”


Commenting on the fundraising, James Stewart, Vice-Chair for KPMG in the UK,said:

“I have been overwhelmed by the way our staff have got behind our fundraising efforts for the NSPCC as we work towards our increased £1.5 million fundraising target. As a large employer it is important that we play an active role in making a difference to the societies we operate in across the UK. We are delighted to be supporting the NSPCC and the vital work it does.”


Jo Swinhoe, NSPCC Director of Income Generation and Fundraising, added:

“KPMG employees really are going the extra mile to help the NSPCC. We are hugely appreciative of everyone who is participating in the Wheely Big Cycle and wish them a safe and enjoyable ride whatever route they are taking across the UK.

“The money raised by this challenge will go directly to Childline and the NSPCC Schools Service, helping us to be there for more children in need of advice and support and to reach more primary schools across the country with vital information about how to stay safe from abuse.”