Cycle challenge raises thousands of pounds for carers charity

A team of NHS Property Services colleagues from across England cycled over 250 miles from London to Stockport to raise thousands of pounds for Carers Trust.

Thirty cyclists and eight support crew members from the property services company set off from the Guildhall in London on Friday, 13 July, stopping off via NHS sites in Leicester and Sheffield, and rode on through the challenging terrain of the Peak District before crossing the finishing line at Stockport Town Hall on Monday, 16 July. Stockport marks one of the major employment hubs for NHS Property Services.

Sponsored by Montagu Evans, GL Hearn, Mitie and Bevan Brittan, the money raised will help the Carers Trust to improve support, services and recognition for the 7 million unpaid carers in the UK. Carers from diverse ages and backgrounds work tirelessly to look after a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health issues with often minimum support.

Andrew Flett, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at NHS Property Services, said: “As a property services company which looks after 10% of the NHS estate, we chose a challenge which will really test our colleagues as they cycled more than 50 miles per day across England. The cycle challenge saw us visit some of NHS Property Services’ major sites, connecting our charity event with our property portfolio.

“This is the first charity event of its kind for NHS Property Services which employs 3,500 people nationally in England and is in aid of a fantastic cause that colleagues are passionate about. Unpaid carers make a vital contribution to the health sector and we are delighted to be supporting the Carers Trust and their important work.”

Giles Meyer, CEO from the Carers Trust added: “Carers Trust is delighted to be a charity partner of NHS Property Services. We thank them for their wonderful efforts in fundraising through the cycling challenge. We are excited to hear in person how this massive feat went as we know it will make a huge difference to unpaid carers across the country. With three in five of us set to become a carer at some stage in our lives, we need great partnerships like this to be able to meet this pressing need.”

If you’d like to donate toward NHS Property Services Cycle Challenge in aid of Carers Trust, please follow this link.