Gary Burke, Managing Director of Burke Bros Moving Group, has been named the number one individual fundraiser for raising the largest amount of money for his chosen charity, hospice Compton Care, in the Wolverhampton to Aberdovey Bike Ride.
Gary has raised £6,500 (including gift aid) after joining the 500+ cyclists who took part in the 105-mile ride in June. After seven hours of cycling, Gary was the second to arrive in Aberdovey. The international moving company has supported the charity through a number of initiatives for many years.
Gary originally set a personal target of finding 40 donations to mark Compton Care’s 40th year of providing end of life care, which by chance coincided with Burke Bros Moving Group’s 40th anniversary. Gary explained, “I set a target and realised I could do more, so eventually I beat the all-time record for the event by one person. Support has come from friends and colleagues both within the UK and around the world. There will be more than 130 donations when the original target was 40. I moved it to 64 to represent my age. Then 100 as it sounded a good round number and then 130, which I have reached.”
Hugh Porter MBE, Patron of Compton Care and President of Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycling Club added, “Gary has achieved an amazing amount of money in this year’s ride. Wolverhampton to Aberdovey is a challenging event for anyone especially for someone like Gary who, as a very successful businessman, barely has a minute to spare. I’m delighted that people have appreciated his efforts and sponsored him, making the money he’s raised the highest by an individual in the history of the event.”
Rachel Overfield, CEO of Compton Care commented, “We’re delighted that Gary chose to support us with his Wolverhampton to Aberdovey bike ride, and we are very grateful for his continued support of Compton Care. Gary’s dedication to both raising funds for us and raising awareness of the vital services we provide throughout the local community is recognised and appreciated by all of us across the charity. We simply would not be able to continue to support our patients and their families without the fundraising efforts of people like Gary.”
In conclusion Gary said, “I’m delighted that through friends and colleagues I’ve been able to raise the much needed funds to be able to help Compton Care. I’d like to issue a personal thank you to all of the supporters, many of which are business colleagues, suppliers, customers and friends.”
Photo (left to right): Terri Amesbury (Ward Manager, Compton Care); Emily Thompson (Community & Events Fundraiser, Compton Care); Christine Dovydaitis (Staff Nurse, Compton Care); Anita Lonsbrough MBE; Hugh Porter MBE; and Gary Burke, Managing Director, Burke Bros Moving Group.