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13th March 2024 Pedalling with Purpose

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Cycling team arrival in Budapest

In a remarkable display of dedication and determination, a team of cyclists from the construction industry embarked on a three-day adventure to leave a lasting impact on young people from underserved communities.

Their journey - the Vienna to Budapest Cycle Challenge - spanned 178 miles across three countries, taking them through epic mountains and picturesque landscapes.

Over £40,000 has been raised to build the skills and confidence of young people across the UK.

The aim?

To empower young people in underserved communities, helping them develop the skills and confidence they need for a successful future.

Maria Matei, Programme Co-ordinator and Income Generation Lead at The Talent Foundry and AllGood Cycling, got the spokes spinning as they led out the team to take on this ambitious challenge.

The team's journey was not without its challenges. They faced brutal weather conditions as they pedalled their way up steep mountain slopes, through lush green meadows, and along the banks of the Danube. Their route took them through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary.

The success of this venture would not have been possible without the generous support of the ride’s Platinum partners Morgan Sindall Construction and Willmott Dixon, and our Gold partners Reds10.

We're delighted that The Talent Foundry Trustee, Michael Green, and ambassador Philip Slater from the Department for Education took part in the challenge. They were also joined by colleagues from Wates Group, Flywheel IT Services, Nexus Associates, Mott MacDonald, Arcadis and DBS services.

Cyclist, Scott Corey, Chief of Strategic Accounts and Services at Willmott Dixon, said:

The work of The Talent Foundry to drive social mobility among young people from underserved backgrounds is fantastic. By nurturing what they are good at, then supporting them with employment opportunities, TTF makes a huge difference in helping young people get the best possible start towards reaching their full potential in life.

During the challenge, the following riders were recognised for their efforts.

  • The TTF Sportsperson Award, was presented by Morgan Sindall to Philip Slater, who has championed the educational impact of the charity since it began in 2009.
  • The TTF Spark Award, was presented by Willmott Dixon to Matthew White, Flywheel IT Services.
  • The TTF Fundraising Award went to Dave Wood, Morgan Sindall

The team are now planning the 2024 challenge which will celebrate five years of cycling and 15 years of The Talent Foundry.

The new 300-mile peloton will travel from Copenhagen to Berlin from 26-30 September 2024.

Interested teams and individuals are encouraged to speak to Maria on maria.matei@talentfoundry.org.uk about booking your place.