Laithwaites team raises thousands for Sue Ryder

A TEAM of wine specialists from Theale have put the pedal to the metal to raise thousands of pounds for a Reading Hospice.

A group of employees at wine specialists Laithwates took part in a cycling challenge in aid of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

The team undertook a cycle from their distribution centre in Gloucester to their head offices in Theale – a journey of 120km – raising £3,000 for the hospice.

It is just the latest in a series of events during a three-year fundraising partnership between Laithwaites and Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, with a total of £88,000 raised for the charity.

Manny Oliveira, brand partnership manager at Laithwaites, said:

“We undertook a challenging bike ride from our distribution centre in Gloucester to our head office in Theale, covering a total distance of 120 kilometres. It took us six hours and 45 minutes to complete the journey.

“The highlight of our ride was conquering a very steep hill known as Birdlip Hill, which was a real struggle reaching 28% gradient at its peak.

They continued: “Along the way, we had the chance to stop at some fantastic places. The scenery at Cotswold Water Park was beautiful, and we also visited a delightful pub where a cold Coca-Cola felt like the best reward, especially considering the scorching weather with temperatures exceeding 30ºC.

“What made this ride even more special was that it was for a great cause – the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice. We’re thrilled to share that we raised an impressive £3,350 for the charity.

“It was a fulfilling experience, combining a physically challenging