Dransfield cycle challenge raises thousands for children’s charity

A team fielded by the company behind Morpeth’s award winning Sanderson Arcade development has cycled across Italy to raise £15,484 for the NSPCC in the North East.

The 18 strong cycling team headed by the Yorkshire based company Dransfield Properties Limited pedaled 360 miles from Portofino to Rome last year to raise money for three charities including the NSPCC.

And some members of the team visited the NSPCC’s service centre in Newcastle to present the money they’ve raised to NSPCC Ambassador Alan Shearer, and find out more about how their fundraising will help.

Alan was also presented with one of the pink Team Dransfield cycling shirts worn during last September’s Portofino to Rome challenge.

Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, Mark Dransfield said: “We’re very grateful that so many people supported our challenge and enabled us to raise such a fantastic amount for a great cause. Riding into Rome at the end of the challenge is something we’ll never forget and it is great to have the opportunity to visit the NSPCC centre here in the North East where the money we raised will be spent.”

The self-named Middle Aged Men in Lycra (MAMILs) took on the Italian challenge as part of their fundraising cycle tour of Europe. Since starting their cycling challenge in London in 2007, the team has covered a distance of 1,425 miles in England, France and Italy.

Each year the MAMILs nominate charities to support in the challenge. Last year they supported the NSPCC, The Children’s Hospital Charity in Sheffield, and Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Money raised for the NSPCC will go towards purchasing toys and equipment for younger children who are helped by the charity in the North East.

NSPCC head of fundraising for the North East, Wendy Bates said: “We were delighted when Dransfield Properties decided to support us with the latest leg of their cycling challenge. Cycling for three and a half days is certainly an admirable feat and I take my hat off to everyone in the team for putting in so much effort for charity. They have raised a fantastic amount that really will make a difference for young children who access services at our centre in Newcastle.”

As well as handing over the cheque, the team from Dransfield met with fundraising volunteers from the NSPCC’s Morpeth committee, who first encouraged Dransfield to support the charity.

Wendy continued: “I’d really like to thank the Morpeth committee for putting us in touch with Dransfield Properties. Without them we probably wouldn’t be here receiving this cheque. I’m so pleased that some of the committee have been able to come along today to celebrate this fantastic achievement. We do rely on volunteers like our Morpeth committee to help raise money to fund our services and we couldn’t continue without their support.”

The NSPCC centre in Newcastle offers a wide range of services to help some of the most vulnerable children, young people and their families across the North East. Services focus on helping children and young people whose lives have been affected by sexual abuse, children from minority ethnic groups, and children and young people who are looked after by the local authority.

People can find out more about supporting the NSPCC in the North East by visiting www.nspcc.org.uk/northeastandcumbria or calling the North East fundraising team on 0191 227 5300.

Ends

For further information please contact:

NSPCC Regional Communications Officer, Janice Rowe on 0191 227 5338 or email Janice.Rowe@nspcc.org.uk

Notes to editors:

Attached photographs show:

Cheque handover (l-r): Alan Shearer, Mark Dransfield and Wendy Bates

About the NSPCC

The NSPCC is here to end cruelty to children in the UK and the Channel Islands by fighting for their rights, listening to them, helping them when they need us and making them safe.

We provide national services such as ChildLine and our Helpline for concerned adults to provide support for all children. Our local services focus on the most acute forms of abuse and the most vulnerable, highest risk children working in areas such as sexual abuse or children under one so that we can bring help, advice and treatment to children at risk or those who have been abused.

For more information about the NSPCC visit www.nspcc.org.uk.