When Bromsgrove Sporting faced one of their longest away trips of the season over the Bank Holiday weekend, Matt Foden, from the club’s commercial team, decided to use it as an opportunity to raise funds for two worthy causes.
So, he hatched a plan to cycle almost 250 miles to their Pitching In Southern League Premier Central clash at Lowestoft Town and in doing so, raise funds for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Bowel Cancer UK.
The challenge began on the Thursday prior to the game as he cycled from the Victoria Ground to Rutland Water and then on day two it was a rather arduous cycle to Blickling Hall.
He was due to take part in the Blickling Hall Parkrun but the event was cancelled, so he rode to Norfolk instead to compete in the Brundall Parkrun.
He then completed the challenge in time to watch the Rouslers slip to a 3-0 defeat, having travelled 400km, climbed an elevation of 2,750 metres, and spent over 17 hours on the move.
“It was great to complete the challenge from a personal point of view, but the main thing was that we were able to raise vital funds for two fantastic charities,” he told us. “It was an idea that developed from some banter that we had around the club when I started cycling to home games and would turn up in my cycling gear.
“It became something of a standing joke, so when the fixtures were released and I saw that we were heading to Lowestoft Town early in the season, it presented an opportunity to set a challenge and that is where the idea of a fund-raising bike ride evolved from.
“We selected two charities that are close to the club’s heart and it went from there really.
“We set an initial target of raising £500, but as I speak, we’re on over £2,500 with donations still coming in, and that is absolutely fantastic. I can’t thank everyone who has donated enough.
“To also have the support along the way and then Lowestoft Town were great when I arrived, it just made the whole thing really special.
“I am considering returning to Lowestoft in April and joining one of their fans who is considering doing the challenge in reverse and cycling to the game at Bromsgrove.
“It just shows how football can be a force for good and how the football community can come together to support each other and help raise awareness and funds for such worthwhile charities.”
The fund-raising will be live until November, if you would like to donate.
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