Industry bike ride raises over £280,000 for MAG

The annual wholesale, convenience and foodservice charity bike ride ‘Bikes Against Bombs’ (https://bikesagainstbombs.co.uk/) has this year raised over £280,000 for MAG (Mines Advisory Group).

The initiative was set up in 2015 by Neil Turton, non-executive director at Alliance Stores, and Tom Fender, development director of TWC, to raise money for the Manchester-based landmine clearance charity, Mines Advisory Group (MAG).

The 2024 ride comprised a 350km route from Hue to Hoi An in Vietnam. This year’s event was the eighth international ride – the previous seven challenges took place in regions including Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia, all of which are impacted by the legacy of conflict. There was also one ride in the UK, in 2021.

Alongside Fender and Turton, this year’s ride saw 43 industry executives take part, including Creed Foodservice chairman Philip de Ternant, Henderson Foodservice managing director Cathal Geoghegan, Unitas managing director John Kinney, Harvest Fine Foods managing director Steve Whitwam, and Confex chief operating officer Jess Douglas.

At the finish line, Turton commented: “We have just finished 350km in 37-45 degree heat and have a group of happy and proud people. As someone said this week, it is like waking up on the hottest day ever in the UK, deciding to cycle from Manchester Airport to Nottingham over the the Peak District and then doing the same thing several days in a row – all for awareness and funds for MAG.”

Fender added: “It’s been hot and hilly and wonderful, and we have raised over £280,000 for MAG, which is brilliant.”

In Vietnam alone, MAG has cleared over 400,000 bombs in the last 25 years.

Published Date: May 14, 2024