Hospitality Action launches summer fundraiser challenges

Industry charity Hospitality Action has launched two "epic challenge" fundraiser events, which are due to take place over the summer.

The first event, the Cotswold Cycle Challenge, will be returning on 13 May after a five-year hiatus at Calcot & Spa in Tetbury.

Some 125 cyclists will speed across the Cotswold countryside following a pasta supper party at the hotel.

Participants will choose between a 20-, 40-, 60- or 100-mile course, each of which will stop at neighbouring hotels, including Whatley Manor, the Castle at Castle Combe and the Village Hall in Barnsley.

Cyclists will then celebrate over a glass of Champagne Taittinger and a congratulatory barbecue.

The second event is the annual Summer Challenge, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year.

Colleagues and teams from across the industry will be asked to collectively travel 40,000 miles, whether that be by walking, running, cycling, wheeling or swimming.

The event, which is being sponsored by CH&Co, will take place between 7-17 June and encourages participants to be creative in how they accumulate their miles.

Last year, 905 participants from across the industry raised £85,000 for the charity, which supports people from the hospitality sector who are facing difficult times.

Mark Lewis, chief executive of Hospitality Action, said: "We know recent years rank among the toughest we've ever seen, with a record number of people calling upon us for help and support, and 2024 is no exception. Since the start of the pandemic, we have awarded 12,000 grants, totalling £4,000,000 and answered tens of thousands of calls via our helplines.

"Summer 2024 promises a prestigious line-up of sporting events including the Euros, Wimbledon, the Olympic Games, Hospitality Action's Summer Challenge and the Cotswold Cycle Challenge. We urge as many individuals and businesses as possible to be part of the sporting action this summer and go the distance in aid of Hospitality Action."

To find out more about each event and to register, email: fundraising@hospitalityaction.org.uk