Dransfield Foundation supports South Yorkshire community charity

22 January 2024

Sheffield based charity, The Ethel Trust, is the latest cause to receive a £2,345 boost from a group of charity cyclists from Dransfield Properties.

Team Dransfield raised an amazing £47,000 after completing the final leg of a 14-year Tour of Europe in 2022. Funds have been used by the Dransfield Foundation to support a number of projects focused on helping children and their families in the local community.

The Ethel Trust, which was formed in 1988, operates two community barges providing day and residential canal and river experiences for the most disadvantaged groups in South Yorkshire.

Members of the community benefiting from the initiative range from primary aged children with learning and physical disabilities, through to young people with mental health issues, elderly groups in residential care and those at risk of social exclusion.

During 2023 the Trust doubled their capacity to meet growing demand by commissioning a second community barge and increasing its team of volunteers.

Charity trustee, David Tuck, said: “We’re enormously grateful for the support the Dransfield Foundation has shown our project over the years. We rely entirely on donations and grants to carry out our work.

“This year we are focused on a project set to benefit up to 60 learning and physically disabled children.

“By setting new practical tasks on the barge we aim to help develop confidence, teamworking and social skills.”

[See more in our video here: 5CFF73E5-7A6E-43FD-BAE1-CB06AAC93376 (vimeo.com)]

Founder of the charity bike ride and Chairman of Dransfield Properties, Mark Dransfield, said: “When I set up the bike ride 16 years ago it was with the intention to make a difference to our local communities. Projects such as this carry out vital work in supporting our young people who are met with various challenges.

“We wish David and all of the volunteers at the trust the very best.”

The team of cyclists 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 raising an incredible £593,000.

Their fundraising endeavours over the years 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.

The completion of the ride in 2022 coincided with Dransfield Properties’ 30th year in business. The award-winning company owns and manages successful retail, leisure and mixed-use centres across the UK.

For more information about The Ethel Trust and their work visit www.etheltrust.co.uk and for more information about Dransfield Properties visit www.dransfield.co.uk

ENDS

Pictured: (L-R) David Tuck from The Ethel Trust with James Shepherd, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties.

For further information, contact:

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