Cash rolls in for national charity thanks to Mazars cycle challenge

Staff from the Manchester office of international accountancy and advisory firm Mazars have helped to raise over £93,000 by participating in the firm’s first national cycle challenge.

Proceeds of “Sense 1000, powered by Mazars” will be donated to Sense, a national charity supporting people with sensory disabilities or impairments.

Taking place across 12 consecutive days the challenge covered 1,000 miles and started in Glasgow on Monday, September 11.

The route passed through 15 Mazars offices to finish at Mazars’ London office on Tower Bridge on Friday, September 22. The relay covered the length and breadth of the country (see route map below).

Through cycling, volunteering and fundraising, more than 200 Mazars staff were involved with the challenge. Partners and staff from the Manchester office cycled one or more of the legs across the North West, either Manchester to Liverpool, Liverpool to Knutsford or Knutsford to Nottingham.

Donations will support Sense’s work in local communities including TouchBase Pears, a pioneering new community centre in Birmingham that will provide specialist provision for disabled people in the region.

To thank participants for their efforts, Mazars and Sense also hosted a number of receptions along the route, ranging from barbeques to tours of Sense Touchbase centres.

Ian Wrightson, UK Executive, head of people and culture at Mazars, said: “A lot of hard work and determination has gone into completing this challenge.

“At Mazars we are committed to making a positive difference to society and the Sense 1000 challenge is a fantastic example. It has brought teams from across the UK together to work towards a common goal.

“All of those riding and supporting the event deserve thanks for their effort and for taking on a personal challenge in the name of a worthy cause. My body is still aching from cycling one of the legs.”

Gillian Morbey, Sense chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled that Mazars has chosen to support our cause in such an incredible way.

“Sense prides itself on enabling people to achieve their aspirations, and the Mazars event gives participants the chance to test themselves and achieve their goals.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the efforts of all the cyclists, which will help us to deliver vital services that make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities and their families.”