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Debenhams manager Simon Weeks joined ‘cycle to work’ crusade for a military charity fundraiser

Debenhams manager Simon Weeks joined ‘cycle to work’ crusade for a military charity fundraiser

Local charity supporter, Simon Weeks goes the extra mile for Help for Heroes 

LONDON, 2017-Sep-25 — /EPR Retail News/ — A local charity supporter went the extra mile for a military charity last week, cycling more than 60 miles in a unique fundraiser.

Simon Weeks, a warehouse transition manager at Debenhams, rode from his home in Cambridge to Debenhams London Support Centre in a unique ‘cycle to work’ crusade. His impressive ride came after a call from the business for fundraising volunteers to join an organised sponsored bike ride for military charity, Help for Heroes in the capital.

Simon was happy to take part in a challenge for the Charity, thanks to his own family’s connection to the Armed Forces. He said: “My grandad joined the Royal Navy aged just 17 and a year later was involved in the D-Day landings. Help for Heroes provides valuable support to service personnel and military veterans who have sustained injuries while serving in the British Armed Forces, so it is a charity close to my heart.”

With years of biking experience Simon, and his wife, decided to cycle into London before the event.

Simon said: “My trusty second-hand bike and I, have covered hundreds of miles through Laos and Cambodia, so Cambridge to London wasn’t too big a challenge! We set out Tuesday evening and decided to camp overnight. Unfortunately, we set up camp in the middle of Storm Aileen so sleep wasn’t on the cards. It was really cold and incredibly wet but we were both determined to take part in the event.”

After arriving in London, Simon and a Debenhams team of office workers then cycled around Regents Park twice, to help Debenhams raise more than £1.5m for the charity.

Speaking on Simon’s achievement, Mandy Lloyd, Head of Partnerships at Help for Heroes said: “We already receive fantastic support from Debenhams to benefit our ex-serving me and women but Simon really did take things to another level!  We are really bowled over and hugely grateful to individuals such as Simon who champion our cause.”

“Help for Heroes is hugely grateful to Debenhams and all those involved in their recent fundraising activities and everything they have done to support the Charity.  We rely heavily on the generous donations raised which directly helps rebuild lives.  We’d like to thank everyone who has donated and helped support our beneficiaries and hope everyone has had lots of fun too!”

In addition to staff fundraising activity, Debenhams also has a collection of four specially designed Help for Heroes t-shirts. The t-shirts are priced at £20 and are available in store and online. Debenhams has pledged to donate all profits from the sale of each item to Help for Heroes.

To view Debenhams’ Help for Heroes merchandise, visit: http://www.debenhams.com/men/help-for-heroes

 

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Notes to Editors

About the Debenhams Foundation
At Debenhams we are committed to a number of charities. In 2013 we set up our own charity, The Debenhams Foundation, and currently work with including, Help for Heroes, BBC Children in Need, Breast Cancer Now, Make A Wish Foundation and the Disasters and Emergencies Committee. We chose these charities following feedback from our staff and customers.

For more information, visit our Debenhams Foundation page.

CONTACTS

For more information and imagery please contact:
Debenhams Press Office: 020 3549 6420 / press.office@debenhams.com

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