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Two-Wheeled Fundraisers Support Safe and Sound

Two-Wheeled Fundraisers Support Safe and Sound

A partner with leading Midlands accountancy firm Dains has raised more than £1,000 for specialist Derbyshire charity Safe and Sound after completing a gruelling 100-mile cycle ride.
John Southwell had originally entered the My Prudential RideLondon event to raise cash for Safe and Sound which supports local young people who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation, as well as their families, and is one of Dains’ chosen charities.
 The event was however cancelled due to the pandemic and cyclists have had the option to complete a 100-mile stretch wherever they choose to raise money for the charities of their choice.
John therefore headed out from his home in Burton and completed a 100-mile loop around the National Forest which covers 200 square miles across the Midlands, taking in parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.
John, who specialises in Accountancy and Business Services - advising owner managed businesses primarily in the Burton and Derby areas - said: “I was planning to take on the RideLondon event but due to the pandemic I took the opportunity to take part in the event closer to home.
“I enjoy cycling in my spare time but have never tackled 100 miles before and it was five and a half hours of hard slog!
“However, I am delighted to have raised so much money for Safe and Sound which has been the chosen charity for our Derby and Burton offices for a number of years and to support a very worthy cause on my doorstep.”
Meanwhile keen cyclists have so far raised more than £1,200 for Safe and Sound by signing up for the charity’s virtual cycle ride on an 11-mile route around five Derby parks – Markeaton, Darley and Alvaston as well as Bass and Markeaton recreation grounds. 
These include Helen Wathall MBE, managing director of Wathall’s funeral directors who said: “I used to love cycling but haven’t done it – or indeed very much else – for several years since injuring my knees doing the Team Wathall charity walk from Derby to London.
“My friends and family were very surprised to hear that I was back on two wheels but this has been a great way to get out and about back into Derby’s parks and enjoy the greenery that is on our doorstep across the city whilst supporting a great local charity.”
Fellow fundraiser Tim Howell, a youth work lecturer at the University of Derby, continued: “I am on a waiting list for a new hip and the only exercise I can currently do is cycling. 
“I was keen to support Safe and Sound which is one of our placement agencies. Safe and Sound provide vital support to children across Derbyshire who are at risk of being exploited, helping them back to a place of safety and dignity with dedicated 1-2-1 work that lowers their risk and transforms their future. They provide support to individuals and families, to rebuild their identity and capacities to imagine a future that just did not seem possible.”
Everyone signing up to the virtual cycle ride and donating to Safe and Sound receives details of an easy to follow and cycle-friendly circular route taking in the parks which they do whenever they want and at their own pace, either in one day or in stages.
The ride information pack also highlights the parks’ history and interesting landmarks to look out for on the way.
Sponsorship forms and online giving are available for those wishing to raise further money for the charity and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a certificate.
Money raised goes to the charity’s Butterfly Appeal which was set up a year ago to help transform the lives of children, young people and their families across Derbyshire whose lives are affected by child exploitation.  This includes sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking and modern slavery. 
 


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