We are delighted to be undertaking the third running of our annual charity cycle ride, Oriel ^3 x 3, the 110km cycle ride from Oriel (College, Oxford) to Oriel (our offices in the City) by Oriel (staff, family and friends). We are again raising funds for our chosen local charity, the Blackfriars Settlement, which provides support to the communities of North Southwark and North Lambeth: http://www.blackfriars-settlement.org.uk/home. The impact of funding cuts has been dramatic for the smaller, less obviously popular, charities such as Blackfriars Settlement and it faces a constant battle to maintain its core services in Mental Health, Older People, and Children and Young People. At the same time, Blackfriars Settlement is also seeking capital funding to complete a major project redeveloping its main site in Southwark. Jackie Wray, Deputy Director of Blackfriars Settlement, commented on the generosity of sponsors over the past two years: “In year 1, they saved the Older People’s and Mental Health services at a time of real threat, so that they have had a chance to transform for the new economic order. There are a lot of frail and vulnerable people who attend these services who would want to say a personal “thank you” for that. In year 2, they created a fund to keep the youth volunteering going, after abandonment by the Government funded V programme. Not only did this tide our volunteering programme over until we were awarded Transition Funding for our volunteer administrator post, but it’s providing ongoing support for young volunteers helping our Children and Young Peoples’ services or who want to develop themselves through volunteering. Please tell your wonderful sponsors that THEY ROCK!” This year’s ride will take place on Sunday 9 October over the same course with veterans of the ride being joined by Oriel^3 first-timers, and we are pleased to include cyclists from our old friends, the Twenty3c-Orbea cycle racing team, and new friends, the Squadra Donna ladies cycle racing team. We acknowledge with gratitude the “in-kind” support of Oriel College, Young & Co’s Brewery, Oxford Tube (Stagecoach) and Northgate.
