Lookers eyes second charity ride challenge after 'smashing' £150,000 target

By Tom Sharpe

15 February 2023

Fund raising cyclists from Lookers are setting their sights on a new cycling challenge after raising £150,000 with 650km Birmingham to Belfast charity ride.

The AM100 PLC revealed this week that it had “smashed” its fund raising target to deliver support to the Macmillan Cancer Support and Papyrus charities.

And, despite the gruelling nature of the first ride, group chief operating officer Duncan McPhee reveald that plans were already been hatched for a follow-up ride in 2023.

Taking to LinkedIn to celebrate the success of the Birmingham to Belfast ride, McPhee said: “What a team and what an achievement. We are all so very proud of our riders, support drivers, events team. It was a hard challenge but a super rewarding one! Let’s get ready for part deux in 2023.”

McPhee suggested “Eastbourne to Edinburgh” as a route within his online post, but added that this was not yet confirmed.

AM reported back in October – when the Lookers cyclists completed their Birmingham to Belfast challenge – how a team of 10 had set off from Birmingham’s Vauxhall Selly Oak dealership on September 25, travelling through Stafford, Crewe and Preston – in addition to stopping off at Lookers Group headquarters in Altrincham – on-route to their destination in Ambleside.

A second team then took the baton on the second leg of the challenge through Carlisle, Dumfries and Ayr, with the cyclists finally crossing the finish line at the Charles Hurst headquarters, in Belfast, on September 30.

Their efforts will help Macmillan Cancer Support provide its specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer and Papyrus in its efforts to the prevent suicide and the promote of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

McPhee said: “We are committed to supporting communities right across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland and to raise £150,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and Papyrus for the important work they do. It’s been our privilege to support them in their challenges as part of an experience few of us will ever forget.”