Northampton accountants use peddle power to raise money for local charities
Accountancy firm Grant Thornton are completing their last minute training this week before taking part in Sunday’s Cycle4Cynthia - Northamptonshire’s annual charity cycle ride.Seven staff from the Northampton office, along with four colleagues based at the firm’s Kettering office, are joining more than 550 other cyclists for this weekend’s Cycle4Cynthia.
Grant Thornton’s CAT team (Central Administration Team) - Karen Patrick, Leanne Walker, Ashley Griffin and Deborah Hamilton – will be climbing on board tandems and dressing up as cats for the fundraising event. While their accountancy colleagues - Paula Murphy, Liz Watson and Anne Austin - will be climbing on board their own bicycles to boost the company’s sponsorship total.
Partner Steve Robinson explained: “At Grant Thornton, we see this event as a fantastic opportunity to raise money for an excellent and very important local charity, build team spirit within the office, demonstrate our ongoing commitment as a firm to the local community and for at least 11 of us to get a little fitter, lets hope for some nice weather and a big turn out.”
Cycle4Cynthia – which is being held at Franklin’s Gardens this Sunday from 9am - raises money for two charities, which provide care, and support for people with terminal illness in Northamptonshire, The Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Cyclists can choose from three routes – 50, 25 and five miles – with the start times set at 9am, 9.15am and 9.30am respectively from the home of the Saints – Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton.
Last year Cycle4Cynthia raised a record £35,000 for the two charities and around 400 people took part. This year organisers are expecting more than 550 cyclists and are aiming to raise more than last year through entry fees and sponsorship.
Event numbers are not being sent out to cyclists before the event so, to avoid congestion and queues at the event, participants are urged to get to Franklin’s Gardens, Weedon Road the day before the event. A Cycle4Cynthia desk will be set up inside the Rodber Suite from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, October 11th.
At this desk cyclists who have already registered can pick up their race numbers and pay any outstanding fees. They can also purchase a Cycle4Cynthia t-shirt. People who have not yet registered can officially enter the event and pick up their race numbers. Entry fees are £15 for adults, £7.50 for children and £30 for families.