Cadbury workers back in the saddle for epic charity cycle ride
Two workers at Cadbury’s in Bournville will be raising money for seven different causes at the same time when they take part in an epic charity cycle ride later this month.
However, the dynamic duo aren’t phased by their latest project.
Michael Huggins and Stephen Davies estimate they have already raised more than £100,000 in the combined 10 years they have been based at the confectioner, now owned by Mondelēz International.
They hope to add another £7,000 to this total when they begin their cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats next Saturday (September 9).
The pair are expecting to complete the near 1,000-mile journey in nine days.
The plan is to raise £1,000 each for: Acorns Children’s Hospice, Three Hills Action Trust, Sandwell Advocacy, The British Paralympic Association, The SMA Trust, Woodcraft Folk and Cerebral Palsy Midland.
Michael, aged 50, from Oldbury, has been working for Cadbury’s for the past 29 years, but his friend and colleague, who hails from Bromsgrove, has an additional 10 years’ service, having started his career at the confectioner in 1978.
The pair have been training for the challenge since February, covering between 100 and 150 miles a week on their bikes.
Michael said: “This is going to be an incredible experience for us and each of the seven charities we have chosen are important to us, and our co-workers. We are confident we can, with the help of our many friends and the charities, raise the £1000 for each of them, and we will make sure everyone is kept updated on our journey with pictures and our blog.
“Having done the ride a couple of times previously we know that we have a lot of work ahead of us to complete it, and will be cycling around 110 miles a day. But this is something we enjoy and know a lot of people within the West Midlands will benefit from, and that’s what keeps us going.”
Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, said: “We are so proud of our community champions and the lengths they go to, to make a positive impact on their local communities.
“Supporting our employee’s passions is very important to us – everyone is encouraged to volunteer within work time and can apply for matched funding through The Cadbury Foundation.
“We are all going to be behind Michael and Steve in spirit when they set off on Saturday and will be keeping a close eye on their progress and cheering them along on their way.”
