Nicola Tilbe
DHL Leadership Challenge Programme (LCP) fundraising for Hvozdy Centre
Fundraising for DHL UK Foundation
Story
Participants of the 2009/10 DHL Leadership Challenge Programme (LCP), have set up various fundraising initiatives to raise money for a disadvantaged community in Hvozdy near Prague:
- Auctions and raffles - 3-peaks Challenge - Ullswater Charity Walk - Hamms Hall to Bike Ride - to Cycle Challenge: on Monday 30 August 2010, 10 DHL staff will set off on a 750 km sponsored relay bike ride from Hvozdy near to the in All the money raised will go towards Hvozdy Centre, a 24-hours residential home that caters for children and young people between the age 15 - 35 with learning difficulties. The centre is attempting to survive the difficult economic climate whilst affected by a huge reduction in public funding and overall decline in donations. All money raised will be used to acquire much needed new equipment to renew all of the bathrooms in the centre.Anything you can donate or contribute, will help to improve the quality of life for these very special young people!
LCP sponsored bike ride report:
The sun was still shining and it was still dry when the start of the sponsored bike ride began at the disadvantaged community centre of Hvozdy. The residents, the volunteers and other supporters arranged a nice breakfast to officially wave off the courageous DHL LCP cyclists on their 750 km journey to the in . , Head of the Hvozdy centre, and Filip Budik, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain Czech Republic, both said a word of thanks. A special word of thanks from the LCP group went to Linda Arvanitopulu for the support she gave in getting the tour organized. The group handed over a wedding present that consisted of local specialties from the various countries represented in the group. The official start was given at 10.20hrs and off they went. The weather quickly changed. The temperature dropped and the rain started pouring down at times. But the spirit was up and with the Hvozdy centre in mind; the riders were determined to meet the challenge in time. In Pilzen, the group received a warm welcome at the brand new DHL Express distribution centre, including some nice refreshments. DHL Express CZ donated 500€ to the Hvozdy centre and another 55€ was collected amongst the employees of the branch. After 210 km and a full day of cycling, the riders arrived exhausted, soaked but satisfied at the hotel in Weiden at 21h00.The time moved quickly and before we knew it the point had come for our brave cyclists to go back on the road. Nothing could stop them, not even the ruthless rain! Starting at gave the team the chance of progressing further than the previous day and the opportunity of visiting two sites. The motivation was already high and the higher it became as the sunny weather appeared. Our cyclists went into a furious competition against time, over taking a motorcycle, competing against local children, 5 years of age and establishing new speed records at 70 km per hour without pedalling! Thankfully, with the help of Thomas Ehrhardt’s kilometres arriving into the Nuremberg Automotive Supply Chain site for BMW we are able to count a further 150€ raised from this single 8 people operation. Then, there was still time left to visit Kitzingen parcel operation site where our fund raising will continue until the end of next week. Finally, after two smaller incidents without significant injuries on people (some scratches on the knees) but different luck for the bicycles all arrive tired, but well at the hotel around 21:00 with less 230 kilometres to go.
Before we know it the final day was here. A start ensured that the last 160 kms could be covered within the planned timescales. We welcomed Ralf Alicki who joined us as a guest from DHL consumer site. We started with a long ride from to that took us through a very hilly but glorious countryside and many picturesque villages, a sight that was enjoyed by all. The , Freight site offered a warm welcome to the team with the provision of refreshments and sandwiches and another 210 euros collected by staff. We then headed off for the final 65 km stretch to along the banks of the and arrived exactly on time at A very warm welcome was received from the staff at . Frank Appel and Bruce Edwards welcomed us onto the stage to acknowledge the efforts of the team and the fund raising for our Hvozdy charity. We are grateful for the time they spent with us and the opportunity to raise a further 315 euros which was collected for our charity fund at the summer party that followed. The cyclists were of course tired from the exertion of the previous four days, but were happy to have completed the course successfully. However, there was also a feeling of sadness that the ride had finally come to an end. Thank you to all of those that have supported us. We look forward to providing you with a final update on the total funds received.