Pedalling for a purpose: School of Law 125th Anniversary Charity Cycle Event raises funds for four great causes

The School of Law at Leeds successfully hosted a charity cycling event in celebration of its 125th anniversary from 25-29 November, 2024.

The event brought together staff and students across all years and programmes to raise money for four charities including, Child Bereavement UK, Little Hiccups, Many Tears Animal Rescue, and Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (PAFRAS). Through an overwhelming show of support, participants cycled and donated, reaching impressive milestones along the way.

Miles and money raised

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the School of Law community, we collectively cycled an incredible 1,407.1 kilometres – equivalent to traveling from Leeds to Toulouse! And the fundraising effort surpassed expectations, with the total amount raised reaching £2,140, well beyond the initial target of £1,250. The funds will go directly to the four chosen charities, helping to support their vital work.

A community effort

The event was a true testament to the School’s collaborative spirit, with participation from undergraduates, postgraduates, PhD students, and staff alike. Whether cycling indoors in the Liberty Building, commuting to and from the University, or cycling at the gym, the community showed up in full force. Here are some standout moments from the event:

• LLB finalists Andy Tweedie and Alex Jones took on a monumental challenge, cycling for two continuous hours on the stationary bikes in the Liberty Building. Andy also played a key role in organising the event.
• Staff members Kisby Dickinson and Courtney Leader raised an astounding £726 in public donations, with additional anonymous contributions.
• Graham Farrell, one of the event’s top performers, cycled to and from Ilkley every day, including through the stormy weather of Storm Bert, raising a significant amount, and covering 337.7 kilometres – the most of any participant.

A huge thank you to all volunteers and participants

The event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers, who played a vital role in capturing photos, creating videos, and cheering on the riders. Your efforts were essential in spreading the word and bringing the event to life. A huge thank you also goes out to everyone who cycled, donated, or supported the event in any way.

Being able to witness the way in which the School of Law community rallied together to raise money and awareness for four great charities has been truly inspiring and everybody involved should be extremely proud of themselves.

Together, we’ve created something truly special in celebration of the School’s anniversary and for the benefit of four incredible causes. Your participation made a lasting impact, and we couldn’t have done it without you!