FUNDRAISERS in Mangotsfield have handed over £12,000 to two very good causes – and are already pushing on towards their next big donation.
Mangotsfield Community Association handed cheques for £7,226 to St Peter’s Hospice and for £4,775 to Special Friends Club at the Red Lion at the end of March.
St Peter’s is the Bristol area’s only adult hospice, while special friends provide support for families of children with special needs and disabilities by organising a range of inclusive activities.
The money was raised by the MCA during its programme of fundraising last year.
And this year’s campaign got off to a great start when the MCA returned to the Red Lion for a a 913-mile equivalent Spin Bike Challenge over Easter.
Volunteers took turns to get on three exercise bikes in a relay that clocked up the equivalent of pedalling from Mangotsfield to Melrose in Scotland, Leeds, Ipswich and back to Mangotsfield.
The route was chosen to celebrate the achievements of three sporting legends – the late Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow and Marcus Stewart – who have all been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
It raised £4,200, which will be added to funds raised at other events through the year and donated to St Peter’s and the MND Association.
MCA volunteers Mike Heath, Karen Fox and Matt and Sarah Proud organised the event, with support from throughout the local community who came to cheer them on and enjoy a barbecue and music.
You can donate online to this year’s MCA fundraising at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mango-mca-1.