Photo above taken during Break the Cycle 2019

With this year’s event falling afoul of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a revamped Break the Cycle campaign has seen more than 200 people cycle 30 miles or more, before donating £5 and nominating three others to follow suit and continue the chain. So far, nearly £4,000 has been raised to support the work of the Bristol Sport charities. You can donate by clicking here.

A large chunk of those generous participants has come from long-time partner and supporter of Bristol Sport Foundation and Break the Cycle, HL. The Bristol-based firm have supported the event for the past three years, and their staff are enjoying the ever-growing relationship with the charity.

“This year, we have over 65 cyclists taking part, both in groups (of up to six) and individuals,” explains HL’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Martha Girling.

“It’s a perfect combination – cycling, for a great cause – so people really pull out all the stops.

“We partnered with BSF due to the amazing and life changing work the Foundation does. We have a lot of sporty colleagues, and to use sport as a way to being together and support disadvantaged communities is such a great fit – it makes a real difference being able to back a cause where you can see the programmes in action, changing people’s lives for the better. 

“As a Bristol based company, it is important for us to be involved in our local community and to be able to give something back.

“This is our third year and it’s now a fixture in the calendar. We have growing numbers of colleagues support the event so to combine their passion of cycling and a desire to do the right thing for our community means we just had to get involved!” 

HL have also been heavily engaged in the community work of both Bristol Sport Foundation and Bristol Bears Community Foundation, taking an active voluntary role in BSF’s ‘Sums and Scrums’ – a rugby-themed numeracy programme delivered in primary schools, and Bright Sparks, a Community Foundation programme using sport to engage with and educate some of the most disaffected young people in the most deprived areas of Bristol.

“Being in partnership enables us to connect into local communities and we can see the great value that the work has,” Martha adds.

“Our colleagues love volunteering, and it offers them a meaningful way to engage with and have a positive impact in the community.”