Milton Keynes Grand Union and Bedford Park Rotary raises £2.1 million for local charities
“After 23 years of their annual Extra Mile Cycle Challenges within Europe, they have raised £2.1 million pounds for charities.”
Milton Keynes Grand Union Rotary Club in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bedford Park have achieved a great milestone. After 23 years of their annual Extra Mile Cycle Challenges within Europe, they have raised £2.1 million pounds for charities.
The last Extra Mile £2m Challenge took place on 18-22 September last year taking in France, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland. This included 42 cycling teams, 170 plus cyclists and 20 plus marshals riding a little over 500 miles in 3 days. £135,232 was raised
All these monies were distributed to our charities and cheques were presented to them at a special event recently at the MK YMCA. The event was attended by the then High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King. The total amount raised exceeded the £2m objective.
One of MK Grand Union founder members, Preston Ayres who very sadly died in November, and another of our members Mike Rhodes (together with Bedford Park members) were key to the organisation of the cycle challenge. Our President’s charities for this Rotary year (1 July – 30 June) are Willen Hospice and Thames Valley Air Ambulance. The Rotary of Bedford Park support Citizens Advice and Rotary International.
The High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, Camilla King, presented Preston’s wife with a personal citation honouring her husband for his key role in the Extra Mile Challenges over the years.