Bank of Ireland UK staff cycle 144 miles from London to Bristol

11 July 2019

BOIUK Cyclists

Today, a team of 21 Bank of Ireland UK staff and guests will begin their ride from London to Bristol to raise funds for charities providing support to people with Down’s syndrome and their families.

The group will start the cycle from the bank’s London headquarters near St Paul’s on Thursday 11 July and make the 144-mile journey to their Temple Quay office, which they will reach on Friday 12 July. The team has already received personal encouragement from the current Tour de France champion, Geraint Thomas, via video message.

Team FSP was formed in honour of Fraser Simpson Purcell, the 4-year old son of Bank of Ireland Digital Design & User Experience Manager Ross Purcell. The Purcell family has experienced amazing support from local charities since Fraser was born and is intent on giving back.

Over the past four years, Team Fraser Simpson Purcell has raised more than £16,000 for the Down’s Syndrome Association. This has enabled them to:

  1. Provide resource packs for midwives supporting women through pregnancy
  2. A football session for people with Down’s syndrome
  3. Training for an employer empowering them to hire someone with Down’s syndrome

Bank of Ireland UK employees will be out in force to welcome the team to Bristol on Friday. There will also be lots of fundraising activities at the Temple Quay office to raise money for the Bristol Down’s Syndrome Trust which provides speech and language therapy to local children with Down’s.

The event on Friday will be hosted by the bank’s Pride Team, in a joint celebration for LGBT Pride Month.

Ian Ruck, Bank of Ireland UK, said: “We cannot wait to get on our bikes and start raising more much-needed funds for these two fantastic charities. This is a cause which is close to many of our hearts and I couldn’t be more pleased that 21 Bank of Ireland employees and friends have decided to join Team FSP. We look forward to a warm welcome down in Bristol. Please help us support this great charity by donating online today.”

Ross Purcell, Fraser Purchell’s father and BOI Online Customer Experience Consultant, said: “It is amazing to have so many colleagues cycling with me and to know that so many others are hosting and supporting different fund-raising activities over the two days. The money raised makes such a difference to the charities. We have experienced the support these charities give and know that Fraser benefits hugely from them. Fundraising activities like these and generous donations ensure that they can continue doing the good work they do.”

Donations to Team Fraser Simpson Purcell can be made here:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=TeamFSPCharityRide2019&isTeam=true