Heald Solicitors Riding High

The economic cycle may have been on the downturn, but Heald's plucky pedallers are celebrating once again.

The funds raised by our Extra Mile Loire Challenge 2009 have been collected. Yet again over £100,000 has been distributed to charity - a brilliant result from all who took part. It brings the total raised by our seven events to date to a superb £660,000. The main charities selected by the Firm and our co-organisers, the Rotary Clubs of Milton Keynes Grand Union and of Bedford Park were:-

MK SNAP
Prostate Cancer Charity
Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Each was thrilled to receive nearly £9,000 at a special presentation attended by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, while a similar amount went to the charitable funds of the two Rotary Clubs. The rest of the money was paid to charities selected by the 172 cyclists themselves.

Heald Solicitors are proud to sponsor and co-organise the Extra Mile Challenges. They have become established among Milton Keynes' foremost annual fundraisers for good causes, and as a leading mass-participation event suitable for everyone to take part.

Roll on 2010, and we have a first-class route for September this year. It has attracted a full entry of 45 teams (180 riders) drawn from local businesses and organisations. There is even a waiting list this year. We will pedal from Belgium's Ardennes region via the vineyards (no coincidence!) of Alsace for a final day's circular tour of the Black Forest just across the German border. Rumours that the Black Forest Challenge is to eat as much gateau as you can, have been firmly (but rather unconvincingly) denied by Senior Partner, Martin Banham-Hall.

Joining Martin in the Heald Solicitors teams will be partners David Dees and Nick Crook. They too are veterans of every previous Challenge. Also solicitor Esther Marchant whose shocking-pink leggings turned heads throughout last year's ride. Completing the Heald line-up are eager young lawyers, Jayesh Soni and Sam Lake. Whether their hopes for a triumph of youth over experience are met or dashed – well, we'll see. Not that it's a race!

We also welcome back our friends from local accountancy, insurance, manufacturing, property and telecoms businesses and the charity sector so we are once again fielding three full teams this year.

For 2010 the main event charities are MK Young Carers, Willen Hospice and Beds and Luton MIND, together with the Rotary charities. Click here if you would like to sponsor our efforts. Pease fill in the form fully if you want to boost your gift by 28% under the Gift Aid Scheme. Only then can our umbrella charity, Extra Mile Challenges through which the events are organised, collect this tax repayment on your behalf for distribution to the good causes.

And follow this link if you would like details of our next Challenge in 2011.

Filed: 22/07/2010 10:07:01