TUCO raises more than £12,000 for Hospitality Action

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has raised more than £12,000 for Hospitality Action after members cycled 300 miles from Manchester to Exeter in four days.

The team covered around 75 miles each day in order to make the start of TUCO's annual conference, which took place at the University of Exeter last week.

A total of 17 cyclists took part in the charity bike ride including TUCO's chief operating officer Mike Haslin and newly appointed vice chair Phil Rees-Jones, who will take up his position in September.

The route saw members travel through the English countryside with highlights including the Shropshire Hills, Wye Valley and the Mendip Hills.

Julie Barker, chair of TUCO, described the fundraising initiative as a huge success story.

She said: "It was a fantastic job and a great team effort. It looked like everyone involved enjoyed every minute of it."

Rees-Jones added: "It was a gruelling effort with a mixed ability group and we certainly needed the support crew. It was tough at times but thank you to all who made it happen."

A charity raffle at TUCO's Harry Potter-themed gala dinner on 27 July raised around £2,500 on the night in addition to the £9,825 already donated online.

A further £5,000 has also been raised for a host of other charities chosen by the cyclists.

Hospitality Action aims to provide emotional and financial support to present and past employees of the hospitality industry who have fallen on difficult times.

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