LONDON, UK – A group of 24 employees from Costa Coffee, are gearing up for a gruelling 152-mile coast-to-coast cycle ride later this month, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and The Costa Foundation. Dubbed ‘Coffee Morning on Wheels’ as the cycle coincides with Macmillan’s annual flagship Coffee Morning fundraising event, of which Costa Coffee is a Headline Partner for the first time this year.
The team of amateur and experienced cyclists will be using pedal power over two days, biking from the coastlines of Morecambe to Hornsea.
Departing from the seafront promenade in Morecambe, Lancashire on 24 September, the riders hope to have a ‘wheelie good time’, cycling 80 miles East along the Pennines and climbing 5,000ft hills, before reaching the half-way and overnight point in Leeds city centre. The next day the team head to the coast of Hornsea, Yorkshire, cycling over 70 miles and climbing 1,000ft to reach the finishing point on the seafront in Hornsea by the Trans Pennine Trail sign.
The cyclists are being supported by a generous set of sponsors, made up of Caffitaly, Schaerer AG, Howard Tenens, Regency Design & Print, Bott, Miller’s Vanguard, Eversys, Rontec, Moto and Roadchef, so that the team can raise as much money as possible for the two charities.
Lead organiser of the cycle ride Nick Orrin, Costa Express Director for UK & Ireland, said: “Costa Coffee is in the heart of communities across the UK, and proudly supports local causes and charities. This fundraising cycle ride is going to be spoke-tacular and it’s been a real privilege to organise it in aid of these two vital charities. It’s going to require stamina and perseverance to complete, but Costa Coffee team members have this by the bucket load, and we can’t wait to hit the road.”
This cycle ride forms part of a wider fundraising initiative Costa Coffee is undertaking to support Macmillan’s Coffee Morning in September. Money raised will help Macmillan to continue to provide a range of physical, practical, financial and emotional support for people living with cancer and their families from the moment they are diagnosed.
Throughout September Costa Coffee is selling in-store a selection of sweet treats which include a donation to Macmillan. This includes a Chocolate Muffin, Carrot & Walnut Cake and M&S Mini Colin the Caterpillar™ cake. Customers also have the option of donating £1 at the till and during 23-25 September, 215 Costa Coffee stores across England, Scotland and Wales will have Macmillan volunteer fundraisers in-stores collecting donations. Customers are also being encouraged to sign-up to host their own Coffee Mornings whenever best suits them.
Kate Goldman-Toomey, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Right now, more than 3 million people are living with cancer in the UK. By 2030 this figure is expected to rise to 4 million. Macmillan is here to help everyone with cancer live life as fully as they can, but we rely almost entirely on donations to make a difference.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Costa Coffee for the first time this year as they are helping us to inspire millions more people to get involved in Coffee Morning in a number of different ways. Whatever your reason for taking part, and however you choose to do it, your support will help us to raise vital funds for people living with cancer, who need us more than ever before.”
To donate to the Coffee Morning on Wheels Coast-to-Coast cycle ride visit the team’s JustGiving page. For further information on Costa Coffee’s partnership with Macmillan Coffee Morning visit www.costa.co.uk/macmillan To host a Coffee Morning on Friday 30 September or whenever suits best, visit macmillan.org.uk/coffee. If you need support from Macmillan, contact their Support Line on 0808 808 0000 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
