Manchester locals Simon Liddiard and Dennis LLoyd will be riding from Manchester to Liverpool and back, on Mobikes, in order to raise funds for community project Veterans Garage.
Joining the likes of Phil and Julie Neville, they’ll be taking part in ‘The Wonderful Week’, throwing their support behind fundraising platform wonderful.org – the only site which channels 100 per cent of donations and gift aid to charities.
Taking place from 2-10 September, the inaugural virtual fundraising event encourages people to clock up the miles, bake a cake or even skydive, all in the name of their chosen charity, with the guarantee that every penny raised will go to the intended cause.
The teammates – Simon Liddiard and Dennis LLoyd have pledged to cycle, using Mobikes, approximately 60 miles from the centre of Manchester to Liverpool’s Albert Dock and back, on 9 September. They will be raising funds for Veterans Garage – a social enterprise that aims to support ex-servicemen and women across the North West by creating a social hub, offering support and advice services and providing facilities to learn new skills, whilst also working to alleviate some of the loneliness and isolation of the older generation.
Speaking on his involvement in The Wonderful Week, Simon Liddiard comments: “We’re excited to take part in the inaugural Wonderful Week, raising much-needed funds for Veterans Garage, a community project which is close to our hearts.
“My reasons for supporting the project stem from a growing appreciation of the social and mental challenges faced by ex-servicemen and women when they leave the forces. I grew up in a military family and I’ve always loved bikes. When I learned that Veterans Garage will provide a meeting place for car and bike enthusiasts alongside a classic car and motorcycle restoration facility, I was on board.
“Knowing that Veterans Garage will receive every last penny that’s donated makes our efforts all the more worth it.”
Wonderful.org is free from administration costs and card processing fees thanks to the support of corporate sponsors.
Kieron James, founder of wonderful.org, said: “What’s great about The Wonderful Week is that it allows people to get together and have fun – be it by cycling, baking, or even shaving their heads, knowing that every single penny they raise goes to the causes they care about.
“We’re delighted to have Simon and Dennis on board for the first Wonderful Week, to raise more money for worthy causes like Veterans Garage.”
Dan Redshaw, co-founder of Veterans Garage, adds: “Our aim is to build a hub for Military Veterans and the local community to come together, creating a facility that can serve as a venue for unique events that can raise funds and awareness for local causes.
“The Garage will ultimately provide a meeting place for car, motorcycle & scooter enthusiasts, complimented by a classic car & motorcycle restoration facility which is run by and for North West Veterans to fund an on-site PTSD support centre.
“We rely on the generosity of the public to help get our project off the ground, so to be involved in The Wonderful Week really is wonderful!”
To sponsor the team, please visit marauders.wonderful.org, or to set up your own page, please visit www.wonderfulweek.org.
