CYCLING

Great day as Charities benefit from Wellington to Auckland Cycle

By BDO Wellington

It was a great week for two deserving New Zealand charities as they received a generous donation from the winning teams following February’s BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge.

The first and second placed teams in the BDO sponsored Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge chose to donate their prize winnings of a combined $130,000 of cash and services to Starship Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Auckland, both of which were on hand to receive their donations, at the event held at John Andrew Ford’s Great North Road showrooms.

First placed team ASB, led by Nick Stanhope, ASB’s Executive General Manager Wealth & Insurance, chose the Starship Foundation to receive ASB’s $100,000 of prize winnings.

“The Starship Foundation has been part of the ASB family and we have been part of theirs for 23 years,” said Nick. “I know the team we had riding were all focused on winning to ensure we could make this very worthwhile donation to a very worthwhile charity doing amazing work in our community.”

Second placed team 2 degrees Mobile, led by Chris Heunes, Head of Technology Operations, chose Ronald McDonald House Auckland to receive their $30,000 of prize winnings.

“A few of our guys have experienced the amazing support of Ronald McDonald House at some stage, when supporting their families and children while in Starship. We felt motivated to achieve our best possible result for this special team.”

The Corporate Challenge component of the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge has been in place for two years. The Challenge, sponsored by accounting & advisory network BDO and a host of supporting businesses, pits corporate sponsored teams against each other on the six-day, 800 km, 13-stage ride from Wellington to Auckland.

“BDO is very supportive of cycling,” said BDO Chairman David O’Connor. “It’s accessible to everyone, encourages good health and strong camaraderie. BDO has embraced the benefits of cycling, as have many of our clients who we will encourage to be involved in this event."

A team of BDO Partners and senior management rode this year’s Challenge, alongside BDO-sponsored Paralympian Fiona Southorn, riding the course for the fourth consecutive year.


Caption:  ASB riders present their cheque to Starship Foundation CEO Brad Clark (3rd from left). 2 Degrees riders ready to present their winnings to Ronald McDonald House.