Zane Brown, a legal cashier at Horwich Farrelly, is officially the top fundraiser at the specialist insurance law firm, raising £1,750 for Shelter after cycling from London to Paris over four days. As a result, the firm’s employees have hit their goal of raising £15,000 for the homelessness and housing charity this year, three months early.
Earlier this month Zane, who is based at Horwich Farrelly’s Manchester headquarters, set off from Crystal Palace on the 300 mile feat of physical and mental endurance. Riding alongside more than 70 cyclists, Zane travelled through Kent and down to the White Cliffs of Dover, before hopping on a ferry to Calais. The French leg then began, passing through pretty hamlets, before arriving in Paris with aching limbs and ready for a well-earned rest under the Eiffel Tower.
Zane says, “This was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I am a keen cyclist, but nearly 300 miles in four days is a serious challenge. By the third day, my body was really beginning to feel it and I was going much slower, however, with support from fellow cyclists I finally made it to the Eiffel Tower.
“I’m overwhelmed by the support of colleagues at Horwich Farrelly and everyone on the challenge, as well as all the people who have donated. With all their help, I’ve raised an incredible £1,751.20, which will go towards helping Shelter continue the vital work they do for people who are struggling to find and keep a home.”
Shelter is a charity working to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing. It also campaigns for decent housing for all. Horwich Farrelly’s employees selected Shelter as their 2018 charity and set a target to raise £15,000 by the end of the year.
Thomas Reynard, Chief Operating Officer of Horwich Farrelly, comments, “We are all so proud of Zane and wowed by his cycling stamina, as that challenge was no mean feat. To singlehandedly raise over £1,750 is incredible and will help Shelter offer much needed support to people suffering from homelessness or coping with bad housing.
“To hit our annual fundraising target three months early is remarkable and a reflection of the determination and commitment our people have shown to supporting Shelter.
“While we may have reached our goal we still have a number of events over the coming months. These include a sponsored sleep-out, where ten members of the firm’s leadership team will spend a night sleeping on the street; the Manchester half-marathon and a Santa Dash. We look forward to revealing the total amount raised for Shelter at the end of the year!”
