The team at IBC Buying Group have reached their fundraising target and raised £7,000 on behalf of Unitas – part of the national OnSide Youth Zones charity.
Unitas is currently attempting to raise a total of £15,000 as part of its ‘Great Strides for Youth’ campaign, so the north London-based youth zone can transform its outdoor space to better support local young people. They have asked for a space where the children can learn how to grow food, and which can also be used for events, parties, performances and even film screenings.
Allneeds Group is a patron of Unitas, and a long-time supporter of their work. This incorporates IBC alongside sister company C3 Alliance. The IBC team wanted to do their bit to help the young people in Barnet who rely on the centre, and so embarked on an ambitious Bike Challenge to support the campaign.
IBC Commercial Director Dave Robertson cycled 1,000 miles in nine days – all without leaving his home. He plotted the 980-mile route from Lands End to John O’Groats, then cycled it all on a stationary bike, with his entire ‘journey’ streamed online via Microsoft Teams so that people could join in and cheer him on.
Dave completed the challenge by cycling more than six hours a day in 27 virtual stages from 24 March to 1 April, and even added an extra 20 miles to the total to make it an even 1,000.
He was joined by friends and colleagues, even holding business meetings while cycling an average 20 miles an hour. Many others from the industry joined in, getting on their own bikes and cycling a stage with him before kindly donating to the cause.
The rest of Team IBC didn’t rest on their laurels, either, often joining Dave on some of his cycling stages, as well as setting their own personal challenges.
Divisional Manager Ross Travers raised over £1,000 by running 50km in nine days, while Marketing Manager Tony Newcombe made it a family affair by encouraging his family to come together and cycle the 980-mile distance between 24 March and 4 May – and they are well on their way to achieving their goal.
Dave said: “I can’t thank the IBC Members and Key Suppliers enough for their continued support. So many people joined us to cycle or run alongside us, or to come and cheer us on.”
The Unitas campaign has raised over £13,000 of its ultimate goal. To support them and donate to the charity at https://www.justgiving.com/team/TeamIBC
To find out more about the benefits IBC Buying Group visit www.ibcbuyinggroup.com.