Pictured above: (l-r) Cycling partners Richard Slusarczyk
and Ian Dodd limber up for their mammoth trip across
America
Children fighting life-threatening illnesses have 50 reasons to
be grateful, thanks to support from a Coventry-based communications
agency.
Staff at The Bridge Group, in Binley, have donated 50-hours of
free promotional work, plus one hour of their pay, totalling nearly
£195, to D2D, a fundraising challenge set up by Ian Dodd, a
retired Birmingham police chief superintendant.
Fifty-three-year-old Ian is raising money for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation a charity which grants wishes to seriously sick
youngsters.
In May Ian, who is a father of two, will embark on the challenge
of his life when he attempts to cycle 3,500 miles across America
from Disneyland in California to Disneyworld in Florida. Along with
his cycling partner, friend Richard Slusarczyk, he aims to raise
money for the unique charity.
The amateur cyclists aim to complete their journey in 50 days,
which means they must average 75 miles a day.
Employees at The Bridge Group took Ian's vision to heart after
he visited the organisation to discuss the project. Mother-of-one
Nikki Cheung, who is a senior PR consultant at the agency, said:
"When you are a parent it is difficult to hear about children who
are not as lucky as yours. When Ian was describing the Make-A-Wish
Foundation and how it supports not just the youngsters but the
whole family by helping to create happy memories, I don't think
that there was a dry eye left in our board room.
"We are doing all we can to help Ian raise at least
£25,000. I urge any parents who can, plus other
organisations, to pledge money or assistance to this campaign."
Ian commented: "The Bridge Group has been incredibly supportive.
They've given us valuable advice from the beginning of our
campaign, attended meetings, produced fantastic artwork, helped to
organise events and written promotional materials for us. It's
definitely giving us an edge. I'd like to thank everyone at
The Bridge Group for their ongoing support."
There are currently 20,000 children and young people in the UK
fighting a life-threatening illness. This year alone around 1,000
children will be referred to
Make-A-Wish to have their wish granted. To grant all these
Make-A-Wish needs to raise at least £5 million in
2011.