Graham Goode Cycles Charity Media

Giving Something Back

After covering Leicester City Football Club’s coast to coast bike which raised money for LOROS in November, Soar Magazine visited The Foxes’ Belvoir Drive training ground to see Nigel Pearson and Alan Birchenall MBE present a cheque to Diane Morris, the charity’s Fundraising Manager.

As well as handing over the cash raised from the Newcastle to Carlisle trek, the bikes ridden by Nigel and Birch were given to the two highest bidders from a recent LOROS auction.

Jo Lankton, an avid Foxes fan, made the winning bid for Nigel Pearson’s bike and was really happy to help out LOROS.

“LOROS is very good charity and we’re big Leicester City fans. Nigel is doing an excellent job and we decided it would be a good idea to bid for his bike and give the money to a good cause.”

City season ticket holder, Eric Johnson, now based outside of Leicester, stumped up the cash for the Birch’s bike, before generously donating it back to LOROS to auction again.

“It’s a good cause and I support Wakefield Hospice, which is near to where I live. I’m still a City season ticket holder and I thought I’d like to do something to help LOROS. I bid on the bike and won and I’ve come down today for the presentation, but I’ve decided to donate it back to LOROS so they can auction it off again and make more money.”

The bikes were initially donated by Graham Goode’s, based on Lutterworth Road in Aylestone, and Graham explained to us why they got involved.

“We first got involved with Birch a few years ago when he cycled past the garage on this rickety old thing and we decided to give him one of our bikes.

“He rang us about the club’s involvement with LOROS and asked if we’d like to help out in any way so we decided to donate the bikes for the ride. When Alan first called he asked if he could borrow a couple of bikes and that turned out to be 19!

“We always try and help out where we can and it’s all for a good cause. They’ve raised quite a bit of money and it’s great for us to have played a part so we decided to donate Alan and Nigel Pearson’s bike to LOROS to auction off.”

Diane Morris, the Fundraising Manager for LOROS, is delighted with the charity’s link up with football club and really appreciates the involvement of the backroom staff.

“It’s fantastic really, in our wildest dreams we couldn’t have expected the relationship and the partnership with the football club to have taken off in the way it has. For Nigel, Alan and all the backroom staff to take time out and do the bike ride for LOROS was absolutely amazing. A lot of them are very well known people as well and I never expected for them to do something so wonderful for us. I know they enjoyed it and I think it was quite a good team building exercise for them, but at the end of the day they were doing it for a superb cause and they wanted to do it.

“For key people at the heart of this football club to give up their time, particularly when they’ve been very successful, halfway through the season is just amazing. I’m really, really thrilled and so, so grateful to everybody that’s been involved and for the interest from everybody.”

Diane admits the link up with the football club has been even more beneficial then they had hoped.

“Being involved with the football club, which is the heart of the city has helped raise our profile and the city as a whole has got more involved with the charity. I feel as though Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has come alive wanting to support LOROS and everything we do. That was one of the main things we wanted from the relationship so that people would be aware of the wonderful work we do and the vast range of services we provide.

“It’s not just the manager and Alan Birchenall that have helped out, the players have been to our shops, Matt Oakley got behind our launch for LOROS appeal and we’ve had shop competitions and the winners are going to the game against Bristol City as guests of the club, so Leicester City have been very generous.”

Diane also paid tribute to Eric Johnson who not only paid for the Birch’s bike, but also donated it back to the charity to sell on again.

“Even now we’re still getting money from the event and for Eric to have donated the bike back to us is absolutely wonderful. It means even more income for us and I’m sure there will be someone interested in purchasing the bike ridden by Alan Birchenall MBE. It just shows what a wonderful place Leicestershire is and the people do really want to help.”

Result! Graham Goode Motors offers MOT discount and LOROS donation for Leicester City FC supporters

Leicester based cycle and motoring specialists Graham Goode Motors Ltd is celebrating supplying 19 Falcon bicycles for the Leicester City FC Staff taking part in the LOROS Coast to Coast Cycle Challenge by offering supporters of the ‘Foxes’ a special discount on car MOT’s.

Available to all LCFC members and season ticket holders at a reduced price of £35.00 (Retail price £54.00). Graham Goode Motors will contribute an additional £1.00 for every discounted MOT to the Foxes’ designated charity, Leicester based LOROS hospice.

Graham Goode Motor’s special Leicester City FC discount MOT offer will last for the duration of the 2009-2010 football season, so if you’re a Foxes fan don’t miss out on this opportunity to cut your motoring costs AND donate to charity at the same time.

LCFC supporters should contact Graham Goode Motors MOT Department on 0116 244 0673 for more details.

About LOROS
Since it opened in 1985, the LOROS hospice has helped tens of thousands of patients suffering from cancer and other terminal conditions. LOROS is currently trying to raise £2 million for an extension to its Groby Road premises to provide more beds for terminally-ill patients.

Contact:
Graham Goode Motors Ltd
Lutterworth Road
Leicester
LE2 8PH
Tel: +44 (0)116 244 0080
Fax: +44 (0)116 244 0140
sales@grahamgoode.com
tech@grahamgoode.com
www.grahamgoode.com

GGR help Birch get fit for charity

Leicester City's talisman Alan Birchenall was at our premises the other day to collect his claud butler bike......
We presented Birch with the bicycle to aid him in his bid to get up to tip-top fitness for his end of season charity run. Last year he managed to run an exhausting 50 laps round the old Filbert Street pitch. Hopefully we'll all see him out and about a bit more on two wheels, now - maybe some wheelies and bunny hops during his half time extravaganza's....He also hopes to raise extra charity cash by auctioning off the bike at the end of the season.

So, 'Go On Birchy....Get on your Bike!!'

 

Leicester City Press Release :

Birch takes to his bike for training

CHARITY fundraiser and former Foxes player Alan Birchenall has set the wheels in motion for his end of season run.

Birch has been donated a top of the range mountain bike by Graham Goode Cycles to help improve his endurance levels after being spotted on a clapped out bicycle in Leicester. Now Birch is hoping to boost his fitness levels and raise extra charity cash by auctioning off the bike at the end of the season. Birch said: "I am extremely grateful for the bicycle from Graham. It's a beautiful machine."
"It's got about 24 gears which means even I can struggle up some of the hills around Leicestershire. I've already ridden it from the training ground to my home sticking to the bike lanes!"
"As well as improving my fitness and smartening up my image I hope we can raise some extra monies for the charity scheme by auctioning it off at the end of my first run in the Walkers Stadium." Birch raised more than £20,000 for 20 Leicestershire charities after completing 50 laps of the Filbert Street pitch in May this year. He is hoping to exceed this year's total next May when he makes his way around the new pitch at the Walkers Stadium.

Graham Goode added: "We spotted Birch riding a cycle in and around the Aylestone area which was clearly too small for him and in a very poor state of repair."
"Not wishing to see a top athlete such as himself struggle and knowing he was in training for his 22nd annual charity run we suggested he popped in and sorted out a decent cycle for himself."
"We wish him the best of luck for his next run in the new Walkers Stadium."

		**HOT BACKPAGE NEWS** GGR help Birch get fit for charity Leicester City's talisman, Alan Birchenall, was at our premises the other day to collect his claud butler bike to help him train for his end of season charity run..... Our recently relocated and extended cycle department now stocks over 300 cycles i.e. Mountain. Downhill. Road. BMX & Juniors.
	Choose from these leading brands:- Electroped Electric Bikes British Eagle Falcon Claud Butler Saracen Saxon Concept Emmelle Fuji
	Our extensive accessory department will cater for any additional requirements. Approved Stockist of:- Shimano gears & brakes Hollywood cycle carriers Squire Locks Met Helmets Super Bikey child seats Crud Catcher Mudguards Clark Control Cables Gill Clothing Sigma & Smart lights Pedros Tools Michelin Tyres Odyssey BMX Accessories Tioga Zefal We are open 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday. For visitors there is ample FREE PARKING or our mail order department will despatch direct to your door.