Colleagues from one of the UK’s largest social landlords took to the saddle to raise vital funds for a specialist dementia nursing charity.

Cyclists from Platform Housing Group undertook the 200 mile bike ride for the charity Dementia UK on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 June.

The colleagues were part of a team who completed the full 2 day cycling challenge; in total, there were 20 colleagues and external partners that took part in various stages of the ride which involved hours sat in the saddle.

The challenge raised more than £10,000 for the charity.

Dementia UK is Platform Housing Group’s corporate charity of the year for 2024.

Gerraint Oakley, Executive Director for Growth and Development at Platform Housing Group – and one of the cyclists – said: “This was a fantastic team effort and one which I was immensely proud to be part of.  As a social housing provider, we are always looking for opportunities to give back to our communities and this was a perfect example.  Thanks for all those who helped and supported us and for all those who donated so generously.”

This is the third year running that the social landlord has organised a charity cycle ride, with those taking part choosing their own distance.  The route started at the southern tip of the Peak District, through Derbyshire and Leicestershire with day one’s final destination at Platform’s headquarters at Birmingham Business Park.  Day two’s route took cyclists through Warwickshire and the Cotswolds finishing in Worcester.

Staff from NM Services – a national maintenance company – helped on day one to support riders at the first two checkpoints.

Joanna Sullivan, Head of Community Fundraising, Events and Innovation at Dementia UK said : “We are so grateful to Platform Housing Group for taking on this incredible challenge for Dementia UK.  One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.  It can be exhausting and overwhelming, not only for the person with dementia, but also for the people caring for them, and their wider family and friends.

“Thanks to the hard work of our amazing fundraisers like Platform Housing Group, more families than ever will be able to access the life changing support by our Admiral Nurses.”

Dementia UK is a specialist dementia nursing charity who are there to support the whole family when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia.  The specialist nursing team provide life changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it is needed.  The statistics make for sobering reading; every 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia.  Today there are around 944,000 people living with dementia, including 70,800 living with young onset dementia, where symptoms develop under the age of 65.  Dementia UK has around 400 specialist nurses supporting families across the UK; the support is provided for free.

Platform Housing Group has a volunteer fundraising committee which is made up of colleagues who support the fundraising efforts each year.  Each year the social landlord fundraises for a different charity as nominated by colleagues.

As part of Platform’s sustainable responsibilities the cyclists’ support team drove two electric vehicles, one of them supplied by its fleet partner – and a sponsor of the event – TrustFord and an e-transit from the landlord’s own fleet.

The cycle ride was sponsored by the following organisations:

• TrustFord, the largest Ford dedicated dealer group for new and used cars, vans, servicing and repairs;
• Law firm Browne Jacobson;
• NM Services, a property maintenance company;
• Nationwide Windows & Doors, a leading manufacturer and installer of windows and doors;
• Roofing supplier Willis Westcott;
• Dodd Group, a supplier of mechanical and electrical services;
• Law firm Trowers & Hamlins
• House building company Vistry Group;
• Law firm Hugh James;
• Roofing services company, Wigston Roofing.

To sponsor Platform Housing Group please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/platformhousinggroup-and-dementiauk.

Those wishing to partner or support a Platform fundraising charity event for Dementia UK this year, please contact comms@platformhg.com.