A charitable cycling event spanning the route between Bedford and Bicester, combined with a popular canine competition, enabled a Bicester establishment to collect in excess of £7,000 for three community charities during the August bank holiday period.
Kieran Wilson O’Brien, venue manager at The Nightingale, accompanied Colin Bycroft and Andy Selby for a tandem cycling endeavour on Saturday 29 August, traversing the Bedford-to-Bicester course despite severe weather conditions including heavy rainfall and electrical storms throughout the journey.
Upon returning to the establishment, the participants were welcomed by an enthusiastic gathering of well-wishers, with atmospheric conditions brightening as the challenge concluded and a rainbow emerging overhead.
Their efforts generated £2,765 through digital fundraising benefiting The Hummingbirds Cancer Therapy Centre, Nai’s House and FLAD DV.
The following day saw additional charitable activity as a dog show drew numerous participants, accumulating more than £1,500 through entry fees, sponsorship arrangements and direct contributions.
Among the notable winners was Max, belonging to Langford-based window cleaner Andy Lawrence, who secured the Best Fancy Dress accolade while attired as a professional window cleaner.
These initiatives formed components of a Summer of Giving programme coordinated by the Wells & Co-operated venue, which aimed to achieve a £10,000 fundraising goal through various community activities.
Kieran Wilson O’Brien expressed pride in the collective summer efforts, encompassing quiz nights, a World Cup competition sweepstake and the canine showcase, noting the generosity displayed by those who contributed.
The achievement had proved remarkable.
Current fundraising stands at over £7,000, with the designated charities scheduled to receive their allocations at the conclusion of September.
A concluding charity quiz and auction evening has been arranged for 25 September as organisers pursue one final advancement toward their fundraising objective.