Building firm Stonewood Group’s first charity cycling event smashed its £10,000 target by more than £7,000. The Stonewood Sportive saw more than 50 cyclists raising money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Brain Tumour Research by riding up to 100 miles around north Wiltshire and the Cotswolds. Stonewood Group chief operating officer Ben Lang said the riders, who were a mix of all abilities, were each sponsored to complete the challenge. “We set ourselves a £10,000 target but we’ve been amazed at how much money is coming in and so far we’ve hit almost £17,800 with Gift Aid but the money is still coming in,” he said. The cyclists, made up staff from the Castle Combe company’s divisions – Stonewood Builders, Stonewood Partnerships, Stonewood Homes, Stonewood Design and Earthstone – as well as investors, suppliers, clients and other partners, set off from The Rectory in Crudwell. The hotel has been refurbished by Stonewood Builders. “It was a bit wet and quite humid but that didn’t put anyone off,” said Ben. “We had two courses, one of 50 miles and one of 100, there were a few riders who had never taken on this kind of distance so it was a challenge for them.” There were pit stops for food and drink at The Volunteer Inn in Great Somerford, where Stonewood Partnerships is building the 38-home Somerbrook development, and The Wild Carrot Café at Chavenage near Tetbury, where renowned professional road racing cyclist James Lowsley-Williams joined the riders. The 100-mile riders had another stop at The Catherine Wheel in Bibury and everyone met back at The Rectory for a barbecue later that day. “It was a great event and because Stonewood underwrote all the costs of putting it on, the marshalling and safety measures as well as the refreshment stops, we were able to donate all of the money raised,” said Ben. “Everyone got back safely and some of the guys who took on the 100-mile ride completed it in about six-and-a-half hours so that was quite impressive.” Ben said the event was supposed to happen a year ago but couldn’t go ahead due to the pandemic. “We’d like to do another one because it was brilliant to see everyone coming together to raise money for two fantastic causes. “We pride ourselves on supporting the communities we work in so this is a terrific way of doing that.” . 01249 782293 © STONEWOOD BUILDERS 2018 The Stonewood Office West Yatton Lane Castle Combe Chippenham Wiltshire SN14 7EY Work with us Stonewood News Privacy Policy Stonewood Builders © 2021 | Website Design Created In Bath Ltd.