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This month at Babble, we have been thrilled to be taking part in our latest charity bike ride. After sponsoring Ride Across Britain last year, and the Doddie Cup ride earlier this year, the Babble team took on the exhilarating 1,000-mile John O’Groats to Land’s End Challenge – all without leaving the office! Our mission was to support Sport Parkinson’s, an incredible organisation that empowers people living with Parkinson’s Disease by providing opportunities to exercise and create connections in the community.
The challenge
From May 6th to 15th, we embarked on an extraordinary journey. While the Sport Parkinson’s team cycled the challenging route from John O’Groats to Land’s End, we joined them virtually on indoor bike trainers generously provided by Wattbike. Our Burton and London offices were buzzing with energy as we collectively aimed to cover 1,000 miles, joining forces with Wattbike, Annapurna Recruitment, RocSearch, and Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness in what was dubbed the ‘live JOGLE’.
Uniting for a cause
Sport Parkinson’s holds a special place in our hearts. At Babble, we are intent on using our position to drive positive social impact and support causes that matter. Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurodegenerative condition in the world – 1 in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime, and it is estimated that the number of people with the condition will increase by 20% to 172,000 in 2030.
With this ride, we’ve not only been helping to raise money for Sport Parkinson’s but have also been spreading their message around the importance of exercise for people with the condition. Research shows that engaging in 2.5 hours of vigorous exercise per week can slow down the progression of the disease and improve symptoms. Cycling, whether on the open road or stationary bikes like the Wattbike, offers an ideal form of exercise. It keeps people fit, helps manage symptoms, and provides a sense of vitality.
The results are in
Drumroll, please!
With the support of our energetic team and a dash of inspiration from the one and only James Golding, the incredible endurance cyclist and Babble Brand Ambassador, we conquered new horizons and pushed our limits to the max.
As a group, we covered an astonishing 1,619 miles, spending a whopping 110 hours pedalling our hearts out. But that’s not all! We also scaled a mind-boggling 80,000 feet in elevation, conquering (virtual) mountains like true cycling warriors.
Meanwhile, the Sport Parkinson’s team conquered their very real ride, achieving their goal on time and smashing their fundraising target, with incredible support along the route, including from Sir Chris Hoy (they could have done with his thigh power) and Gavin Hastings.
Across all the teams we partnered with, almost 8,000 miles were covered, and over £18,000 was raised to support Sport Parkinson’s. Together, we showcased the power of unity and exercise in transforming lives. Now it’s time to put our feet up and have a nice brew!
We have to give a massive thank you to all who supported us during this journey, whether through donations, encouragement, or spreading the word. Your contributions have made a meaningful impact and helped us create a brighter future for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease.
To learn more about Sport Parkinson’s and continue supporting their mission, visit www.sportparkinsons.com. You can also donate to the cause through our GoFundMe page here.
