Just 5-weeks to go! Essex to Amsterdam
Barry Milchem is a Director at Advent Insurance based in Chelmsford. They were introduced to Kids Inspire at a charity Ball in London, hosted by LM Forums – an organisation offering bespoke events for the Insurance Market.
Following the initial introduction, Advent Insurance chose to sponsor the cycle jerseys for our first ever bespoke cycle ride. While separately, Barry decided to take on the challenge in support of the Kids Inspire community.
QU.1 Please tell us why you decided to take on the challenge
“In short there were two key reasons. Although I have known Sue Bell through Unique Results gym for some time I had not really appreciated what she and Kids Inspire had achieved and were doing in the community. In November last year I found out more when participating in a fundraising Spin event at the gym and then in the same week my Company (Advent Insurance Management) had sponsored a table at a London Market Insurance event where Kids Inspire where the nominated Charity and I found out even more … and wanted to do something to support Kids Inspire. From a Company perspective, we have now formally adopted Kid Inspire as our corporate Charity.
“The second reason is, that having done several 50 to 70-mile rides over the years the prospect of doing 140 miles over 2 days appealed to me and my cycling buddy Graham – so we both signed up!”
QU2. How has training been going? What have you been doing?
“Ok… I think! I tend to do a few rides every year and have already completed the Isle of Wight Randonnee in May 2019 (70+ miles and lots of hills!). I have also organised a couple of training rides starting from Unique Results. However, for me, May and June are incredibly busy so it hard to find time to get out on the bike, so I am hoping my regular spinning classes and experience will carry me through!”
QU3. What do you know about Kids Inspire and do you know how your fundraising could make a difference?
“Not enough is the simple truth, but I do understand it’s a service that is critical to the well-being of so many young people who are struggling to find their way through challenging and fragmented situations whether they be at home, school and as just being part of a challenging society; and I appreciate anything I can do to raise funds for the work of Kids Inspire is investing in our young people today – hopefully to give them a chance of more “normal” life in the future.”
Good luck to Barry and all the 30+ cyclists taking on our first ever bespoke cycle ride. We will be covering the event on social media throughout the weekend 28-30 June 2019.