Cyclists from a West Oxfordshire estate agent have successfully completed a gruelling challenge to raise money for charity.
Brendan and Lisa Kay, owners of Parkers Properties’ branches in Witney and Eynsham, were joined by colleagues from other Parkers offices for the 180-mile cycling fundraiser.
The Tour de Parkers challenge saw Brendan and Lisa and colleagues Simon Gregory, Ash Howes and Jayson Wicks don their lycra to visit all 17 branches of the estate agent’s group across Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Berkshire.
The intrepid cyclists began their two-day challenge at the Parkers branch in Stroud and finished at the company’s new Basingstoke office at the end of the second day.
So far, the team has raised more than £4,000 to support the vital work of Oxford’s Ronald McDonald House.
Brendan Kay, Managing Director of Parkers in West Oxfordshire, said:
“We did a similar event seven years ago when we had fewer branches and therefore less miles to cover. This was considerably more gruelling, but it is such a good cause that the team pulled together and showed a fantastic spirit across the two days.
“The first day saw us cycle across the beautiful Cotswolds, through the centre of Oxford and out to South Oxfordshire, while day two took in Reading and Basingstoke before finishing in Newbury.
“We had a mix of experienced and social cyclists which meant a lot of time in the saddle and some difficult terrain to cover including some muddy offroad sections.
“But the weather was kind to us and there was a great atmosphere across the two days. It was fantastic to get to Newbury and have a celebratory beer or two.”
Lisa Kay, director of Parkers in West Oxfordshire, said:
“It was lovely to team up with colleagues from other branches in our group and away from the day job of selling and letting properties.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated to our challenge, every penny raised makes so much difference to charities like Ronald McDonald House in the current economic climate.”
The Ronald McDonald House is located at Oxford Children’s Hospital and opened in April 2020, providing ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children having treatment in hospital.
The House offers everything a family needs to continue some semblance of normal life including kitchens, laundry facilities, day rooms and a garden. The House has 62 bedrooms, enabling it to support families with children in the Oxford Children’s Hospital, Critical Care Unit and Newborn Care Unit.
Last year, the House was able to accommodate over 1,000 families.
