Oakham-based HSBC bank manager to ride 100 miles in aid of Children in Need

A bank manager and a colleague set out early on Thursday morning (September 24) to tackle a 100-mile bike journey in one day to raise money for Children in Need.

Roger Graves, HSBC retail branch manager in Grantham, and his colleague Tony Aylward, based in Oakham, set off at 7.30am from the HSBC bank in Westgate, Grantham to cycle around south Lincolnshire.

The colleagues are more used to taking part in events such as RideLondon alongside 30,000 other cyclists, but this year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Roger says they are taking part in a much smaller scale ‘RideGrantham’.

Yesterday also saw colleagues across the region fund-raising for Children in Need after being inspired by their regional director, who has walked nine marathons in nine days, one for each of the areas.

Roger said: “We all know fund-raising has been difficult in the current climate so whilst branches are all being involved it is with social distancing in mind – Zoom quizzes, virtual walks, runs, staff clocking up 26 miles in the week.”

The first £1,000 raised by Roger and Tony is being matched by HSBC.

Roger added: “This year Children in Need celebrates 40 years. During the last 12 months the charity has supported over 3,000 projects, giving support to 600,000 vulnerable children, so in the present Covid-19 crisis it’s a superb charity to support.”

To support Roger and Tony go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Roger-Tony100 to make a donation.