Andrew Goddard and Simon Lambert, Directors of the Post Office Group firm Payzone, set off from MAG HQ in Manchester this morning on a journey that will see them cycle 500km across the UK to raise £15,000 in support of our lifesaving work.
Andrew has already completed three fundraising rides for MAG across South East Asia (Vietnam-Cambodia in 2015, Sri Lanka in 2016, and Vietnam in 2019) with Simon also joining him on the latter.
Unable to take part in the most recent MAG ride across Cambodia earlier this year, the pair, instead, created the #Cycle4Change challenge.
Andrew Goddard and Simon Lambert
You can support the #Cycle4Change challenge on JustGiving.
Before setting off, Andrew, the Managing Director of Payzone, said:
"The Coronavirus pandemic has shaken the world and some of the worst-affected communities are the same ones that are already forced to live in fear of landmines and unexploded bombs. MAG is working hard to continue their work in these challenging times and now more than ever we wanted to do all we can to support their lifesaving efforts."
Simon, Payzone's Commercial Director, added:
"I've seen first hand what £15,000 can do to support MAG's work clearing landmines and helping children and adults stay safe in areas suffering the deadly legacy of conflict. I know that every penny we raise will be used to help the people that need it most."
Andrew Goddard, Ex-Trustee Neil Turton, Tom Fender, Simon Lambert
The #Cycle4Change launch event saw Andrew and Simon set off on the first of six rides, flanked by fellow fundraisers Neil Turton, a former MAG trustee and Tom Fender, from The Wholesale Company.
At the starting line was MAG's Head of Philanthropy, Sarah Tavener, who praised Andrew and Simon's dedication:
"MAG is incredibly lucky to have such committed fundraisers like Andrew and Simon. With this latest #Cycle4Change challenge, the pair are part of a team of cyclists that have raised more than £600,000 for MAG over the last five years. This lifesaving funding will help us to continue to find and destroy landmines and unexploded bombs before a child does."
Today's route will see the riders cycle fifty miles around Greater Manchester and Lancashire, from Prestwich to Hyde, from Stockport to Sale.
Over six days, Andrew and Simon will take in Manchester and Lancashire, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Glasgow and Falkirk, the North East of England, Greater London and Hampshire. In total, they will cover 500km and will be joined by a rolling cast of fundraisers along the way.
Every day, 19 people are killed or injured by landmines and unexploded bombs across the world. Every penny raised for MAG by the #Cycle4Change will support a safer future for millions of women, girls, boys and men across the world.
Find out more about the #Cycle4Change challenge on the Payzone website.
