Cyclists from West Oxfordshire estate agent Parkers have completed a 180-mile charity ride visiting 17 branches across four counties, raising more than £4,000 so far for Ronald McDonald House at Oxford Children’s Hospital.
Brendan and Lisa Kay, who run Parkers’ Witney and Eynsham branches, joined colleagues from across the business for the two-day Tour de Parkers challenge, which began in Stroud and finished at the company’s new Basingstoke office.
The ride took the team through Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Berkshire, with the cyclists visiting all 17 Parkers branches along the route.
The challenge was organised to raise money for Ronald McDonald House at Oxford Children’s Hospital, which provides accommodation for families whose children are receiving treatment at the hospital.
More than £4,000 has been raised so far, with the fundraising campaign continuing towards its original £10,000 target. The event follows an earlier Parkers cycling challenge seven years ago, which raised almost £6,000 for the same charity.
Brendan Kay said the latest ride was considerably more demanding than the previous challenge, reflecting the larger number of branches covered by the company.
The first day took the cyclists through the Cotswolds and Oxford before continuing into South Oxfordshire. The second day included Reading and Basingstoke before the ride finished in Newbury, with the route including some muddy off-road sections.
“It was such a good cause that the team pulled together and showed a fantastic spirit across the two days,” Kay said.
Lisa Kay said the ride had provided an opportunity for colleagues from different branches to work together outside their usual roles, while thanking those who had contributed to the fundraising.
Ronald McDonald House Oxford opened in April 2020 and provides accommodation close to Oxford Children’s Hospital for families with children receiving treatment. The 62-bedroom House includes kitchens, laundry facilities, day rooms and a garden, allowing families to remain close to their children while maintaining some of the routines of home.
The House supported more than 1,000 families last year.
The Tour de Parkers fundraising campaign remains open to donations.
