From 24-28 June, members of the Mentzendorff team together with customers and consumers once again donned their lycra for their tenth Charity Ride, dubbed the ‘Giro di Toscana’. Mentzendorff are delighted to announce that the riders have raised a fantastic record sum of £35,000 for The Benevolent Charity.

Led by Mentzendorff Managing Director, Andrew Hawes, the ‘Giro di Toscana’ ride spanned four days and covered over 300km on the famous “Strada Bianchi” gravel roads of Tuscany. If that wasn’t challenge enough, the ride also coincided with the European heatwave which saw temperatures reaching 40°C every day.

Andrew Hawes, Managing Director of Mentzendorff says: “I would like to thank the twelve riders, our support team and our incredible hosts, Ciacci Piccolomini and Fertuna, for their amazing efforts. Thank you also to everyone who has supported us and donated to this great cause.”

Ross Carter, incoming CEO of The Benevolent says: “We are incredibly thankful to Team Mentzendorff for their on-going support of The Benevolent and a huge congratulations for nearly doubling their fundraising target and for doing so in such intense climatic conditions! The impact these funds have on the lives of our colleagues and friends in the drinks industry is significant and we would encourage others to take their lead, don the lycra, swimsuit or even parachute, and follow suit!”

All proceeds from the ride will go to The Benevolent, supporting new initiatives such as “#NotAlone” and “Here to Help” campaigns, targeting mental health issues within the drinks industry.

Mentzendorff has long been a supporter of The Benevolent and the work they do to support the Drinks Industry. The first Mentzendorff Charity Ride commenced in 2005 with a route taking participants from Calais to Champagne to mark the arrival of Champagne Ayala into the Bollinger Family Group (SJB). The theme of Mentzendorff’s charity rides has continued to focus on their family-owned producers. Since 2005, there have been nine Mentzendorff Charity Rides, visiting some stunning winery locations including Bodegas Roda in Rioja, Domaine Chanson in Burgundy, and Taylor’s Port in the Douro Valley. The most recent ride took place in 2015 riding from M. Chapoutier’s base in Tain Hermitage in the Northern Rhône via Mont Ventoux to Colliure on the Spanish border. All ten rides collectively have now raised in excess of £135,000 for The Benevolent.

Mentzendorff’s Just Giving Page will remain open until the end of July. If you would like to make a donation to The Mentzendorff Charity Ride in aid of The Benevolent then you can do so by visiting this link.