Charity bike ride nets £10k

A group of determined cyclists from 2 Sisters Food Group has completed a three-day 228 mile bike ride around the company’s factories to raise money for children’s charity.

The ride saw nine riders from 2 Sisters’ supply chain team set off on a ride from Five Star Fish in Grimsby, via a number of sites and ending three days and 228 miles later at the company’s head office on Colmore Row in Birmingham.

Money is still coming in but looks set to easily top £10,000 which will all be donated to a children’s charity.

The challenge to get on two wheels was laid down earlier this year by group supply chain director, Tony Bury when the ‘cost to serve’ team started producing carbon foot print and mileage reports. Tony said: “We want to drive down the average mileage a case of product travels. We produce millions of ready meals and as an example average mileage from factory to customer per case of ready meals is 228 miles.

“I thought to myself, ‘If I challenge them us as a team to cycle this average distance annually for charity, I am sure we will raise some cash for charity and create a desire to reduce the average before they do the ride again next year!

“We’ve been astounded by the support our colleagues and suppliers have shown us. We’ve had some very generous donations along the way and we simply wouldn’t have made it at all were it not for all the refreshments that were so gratefully received at each stop.”

Tony concluded: “This was a brilliant achievement which has raised a fantastic sum for children’s charity. Between us we pedalled 1508 miles. There were some tough times but everyone kept smiling. We have quite a few stories to tell from ‘arguing’ with a cow to some worried squirrels. But what goes on tour stays on tour. I am proud of all of them they have over delivered and ultimately I know they’ll be striving to reduce the average mileage per case before doing the ride again!”