Several of Savills offices, including Wimborne, have taken part in a virtual cycle from London to Cannes, France, to support colleague Tessa Wright in the real challenge, while raising thousands of pounds for charity.
A total of 87 Savills employees from a number of offices across the south and London have taken part in the Savills virtual charity cycle to MIPIM, in support of Tessa, from Savills South East Development Team based in Guildford. Tessa took part in the property industry’s annual relay cycle ride from London to Cannes, setting off on March 8 and arriving at MIPIM, a four-day real estate exhibition, conference and networking event on March 14.
The Knight Frank Cycle to MIPIM, organised by Club Peloton, saw participants cover a total of 1,438km, with a minimum of two 60km stages completed per day.
While Tessa took on the real event, Savills colleagues rode on static bikes at various offices in the south at the same time, to collectively complete the equivalent distance – which they surpassed with a combined total of more than 4,900km, almost three-and-a-half times the distance from London to Canes. Savills offices in Wimborne, Guildford, Sevenoaks and Petworth all had static bikes while others – from offices including King William Street and Great Peter Street in London, Brighton, Marlow, Cranbrook, Southampton and Reading – joined in remotely. Both challenges saw Savills raise more than £3,000 for charity, with donations still coming in.
The Sevenoaks office completed the longest distance (1,156km) while Reading tackled the most hills (5347m). Alastair Deighton in the Petworth office took the crown for longest ride, covering 226km.
All riders were fundraising for Club Peloton, to help transform the lives of vulnerable young people. Club Peloton supports projects including recruiting families for 1,150 children waiting longer than 18 months to find adoptive homes; assisting 500 families with post adoption support; awarding 800 bikes, tandems and adapted trikes to children and young people affected by cancer; supporting research to illustrate the relationship between physical and mental well-being and physical activity in children surviving cancer; tackling the root causes of violent street crime through 18 projects; and assisting the children of 27 families living with a loved one with MSA.
Tessa Wright from the South East Development Team at Savills Guildford, says: “This was an immense challenge in tough conditions, with strong headwinds and hail but we made it through. It was fantastic to have the support of my colleagues and to represent Savills while raising money for such an important cause which is helping to transform the lives of vulnerable young people across a number of projects.”
Vicky Gunn from Savills Guilford, who organised and has coordinated the virtual event, said: “It was great to be able to support Tess in this amazing challenge and I was thrilled by how many colleagues wanted to join in. The event has been challenging but lots of fun and a great opportunity to get together while really making a difference.”
To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tessa-wrightt or https://www.justgiving.com/team/savillscycle2mipim or contact Vicky Gunn for more information.