WHEELY GOOD SHOW: Members of the Portmore Insurance charity cycle challenge team, from left, Graham Jacobs, Kayleigh Rooke, Emma Sayers, Simon Dixon, Steve Goulter, Mark Whittingham, Dave Macaulay and Michael Piper.
They are embarking on a 150 mile charity cycle ride through France to Paris in aid of the Lahna Appeal and The Society of St James.
An intrepid team of cyclists is getting in the saddle next week to ride to Paris to raise vital cash for charity.
Riders from Southampton-based Portmore Insurance have been training hard to tackle the 156-mile (250-kilometre) route.
They are donning their lycra to support the firm’s two charities for 2016 – Hampshire homelessness charity Society of St James and the Lahna Appeal which raises money for equipment at Southampton General Hospital.
It has taken months of planning and is part of a big year of fundraising to celebrate commercial business insurance specialist Portmore’s 10th anniversary in 2016.
The year’s target of £25,000 has already been eclipsed with £45,000 raised so far and two events still to be counted, including a sparkling gala dinner in October.
Portmore director Graham Jacobs, part of the Portmore to Paris team, said: “It is testament to the commitment and positivity of our staff that we have been able to raise so much as an independent mid-sized business.
“They have all given up evenings and weekends for the charity causes. And it is also very much a humbling experience to realise just how generous our clients and insurer partners have been.”
The 13-strong team, plus support drivers and vehicles, leave Portmore’s headquarters in Test Lane, Southampton, on the afternoon of Thursday, September 22 for the 25-mile ride to Portsmouth ferry port.
Once in France there’s a 71-mile cycle from Le Havre to Évreux, followed by an overnight stop then the 60-mile journey to the finish in Paris.
Training for the ride has proved eventful with a couple of falls resulting in injuries along the way although the team are now fit and ready to take on the final physical challenge of the year.
The team, whose ages range from mid-20s to 50 and whose fitness extends from uber-fit to capable, will all be riding the whole distance.
The Portmore team is: Graham Jacobs, Paul Chapman, Claire Jacobs, Steve Goulter, Simon Dixon, Simon Reeves, Jason Fox, David Macaulay, Elaine Smithson, Emma Sayers, Kayleigh Rooke, Michael Piper and Mark Whittingham.
Graham, said: “I expect we will all be exhausted and saddlesore at the end of this final charity challenge for the year”
He added: “We wanted to do something special for our 10th anniversary to make a real difference to local charities that were not household names.
“All 32 staff members helped choose the charities and we have spent the year undertaking a number of events from physical challenges to general fundraising , including a sleep out, quiz night, 24-hour triathlon in our offices and a 100km walk across the South Downs Way.”
The fundraising year finishes on Portmore Insurance’s 10th anniversary on Friday, October 7 with a gala dinner for more than 400 people at the Hilton Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Compere Denis Bundy will host a charity auction.
To sponsor the cycle team go to the Portmore Insurance JustGiving page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/portmore
Notes to Editors:
Portmore Insurance
Head Office, Portmore House, Yeoman Park, Test Lane, Southampton, SO16 9JX
023 80663754
Wiltshire Branch: Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre, Salt Lane, Salisbury, SP1 1DU
01722 568430
www.portmoreinsurance.co.uk
Email: enquiries@portmoreinsurance.co.uk
The Portmore Group encompasses three distinct divisions designed to provide a complete insurance solution for businesses or individuals. Portmore was established in 2006 in response to what it’s directors perceived was a need for a provider who could offer the service levels of a niche broker but with the placement capability of a national broker. Market capabilities extend from Lloyd’s underwriters and London market insurers through to Global insurance operators. Portmore was named Compass Networks Broker of the Year in 2015
News release issued by:
Cliff Moore, Account Director
Deep South Media
Mobile: 07469 158458 Office: 01202 534487
E-mail: cliff.moore@deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Website: www.deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @DeepSouthMedia
Deep South Media is the 24/7 press office, multi-media content provider to 50 companies and organisations.
Website: www.deepsouthmedia.co.uk
Twitter: @DeepSouthMedia
DSM, staffed by 12 professionally-qualified news journalists, provides outsourced press office services to 50 companies and organisations.
