On Saturday 21st July 2012 fifteen Zibrant staff members embarked on a 482 mile cycle between Paris and Derby to raise money for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY). They raised a wonderful £8,500.
“Fifteen staff members of the Zibrant meetings and events agency, including joint managing director, Fay Sharpe, have completed a 482-mile cycle ride from their offices in Paris to global operations base in Derby over six days to raise over £15,000 for charity. They were welcomed on their return by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Lisa Higginbottom, at a party supported by leading meetings industry brands.
The ‘Tour de Zibrant’, which took place from the 21st to the 26th of July, supported three charities: Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which raises awareness of conditions that can lead to young sudden cardiac death; Send a Cow, which supports communities in Africa by providing livestock and training; and Muscle Dreams, which deliver amazing and unforgettable experiences for children and young people in the UK suffering from the muscle wasting disease Muscular Dystrophy.
Says Fay Sharpe, managing director – sales and marketing, for Zibrant, ‘The Tour de Zibrant has been an amazing experience and a terrific show of teamwork – we’ve had enormous hills, punctures, the odd collision, emergency gel seats, and gone through vast quantities of chamois cream – but we made it. It is a great privilege to be able to support these very deserving charities and we are very grateful for all the sponsorship received. Also I am so very proud of the team for showing such incredible spirit. Although we trained hard in advance, most of us are not ‘proper’ cyclists and it was very tough at times, but no one was giving in and it was a truly uplifting experience.’
Sponsors of the tour included: Blacks, Garmin and Seal Skinz who provided items of kit. Radisson Blu Charles de Gaulle, Thistle Brands Hatch and Mercure Elcot Park who each hosted one night’s dinner bed and breakfast for all of the riders and support crew. Macdonald Swans Nest Hotel who provided one night’s bed and breakfast for all of the riders and support crew and finally The Stratford Hotel (Q Hotels) who provided one night’s dinner for all of the riders and the support crew.
Sponsors of the Tour De Zibrant welcome home party included; Apex Hotels, ArdenCote, Best Western, Cedar Court Hotels, Derby County, De Vere, Fairmont Raffles Swisshotel, Lime Venue Portfolio, Macdonald Hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott, Menzies Hotel, MWB Business Exchange, NH Hoteles, Off Limits, Perception Sales & Marketing, Principal Hayley Group, Q Hotels, Red Carnation Hotels, Shire Hotels, Southwater Event Group, The Runnymede on Thames, The Grove & The Athenaeum, Vine Tree Connections and Warwick Conferences.
Sponsors of our charity auction prizes included Harstfield Manor, Hilton, Marriott, Tourism Ireland & Hastings Hotels, Chewton Glen, Menzies, Puma Hotels, Principal Hayley, Huntingdon Racecourse, IHG, Emirates Stadium, Best Western, Village Hotels, Rocco Forte, Apex Hotels, DeVere, Fairmont, Hotel Husa Princesa Madrid.”
Lucy Salmon
