Members of the Burhill Group Ltd team have successfully completing a 428km bike ride from Lingfield in the UK to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, raising more than £6,000 for Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Colin Mayes, CEO of BGL, along with his wife Kirsty, and Ian McDowell, General Manager of Aldwickbury Park Golf Club, joined a group of nine other riders from the group ‘Let’s Do it for Charity’ – all friends of Colin and Kirsty’s who live around the Lingfield area.
The ride spanned three days, starting on August 30 and finishing on September 1, as the team crossed through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The challenging route took the group past key locations, including Dunkirk, Bruges, and the scenic Voordelta coastal region before arriving in Rotterdam.
Reflecting on the experience, Mayes said: “It was a challenging but unforgettable journey. The camaraderie and support from friends, family, and BGL team members was instrumental in helping us complete the ride and surpass our fundraising target. We are proud to be supporting two charities that do such important work.”
Despite relatively flat terrain, the riders faced intense headwinds, particularly on the second day, with a tough 131km stretch from Calais to Bruges battling against a strong gale. The ride concluded with a celebratory stop at the oldest pub in Rotterdam, generously hosted by Heineken, providing a well-earned rest for the team.
The funds raised will be distributed between two worthy causes. Prostate Cancer UK has been a key charity focus for BGL this year, with various clubs across the group hosting screening events to raise awareness among male members.
Meanwhile, Macmillan Cancer Support is Aldwickbury Park Golf Club’s nominated charity for 2024, making the event particularly meaningful for Ian and the team. The success of this fundraising effort follows on from 2022, when the BGL team completed a bike ride from its HQ in Surrey to Paris in support of the Ukraine Crisis Appeal, raising almost £10,000.
“At BGL, we believe in giving back to the community and supporting causes that we know make a real difference. This latest bike ride is just one of the many ways we try to do that,” Mayes added.
BGL’s commitment to charitable work continues each year, with all 10 clubs in the group engaging in local and national fundraising initiatives throughout the year. In 2023, more than £200,000 was raised for great causes across the BGL Group.
Much of the fundraising activity at club level was as a result of club captains and members making phenomenal efforts and contributions to their chosen charities through events and charity golf days.