May 2025: Hospitality industry leaders are celebrating as the fundraising total for Pedalling To Pubs 2025 exceeds £50k, a month before riders set off on the epic 220km sponsored bike ride across the Lake District.
Pedalling To Pubs is an annual sponsored bike ride which raises vital funds for leading hospitality charities the LTC (Licensed Trade Charity) and Only A Pavement Away. Now at rider capacity, this year’s challenge will see 60 hospitality professionals ride from Penrith to Carlisle and back between 5 – 7 June.
Currently in its third year, Pedalling To Pubs 2025 is striving to exceed last year’s incredible fundraising achievement of over £85,000 for the LTC and Only A Pavement Away. This year’s headline sponsor is Polaris Elements, with the ride also supported by partners BII and Thatchers Cider.
The funds raised enable both charities to carry out their vital work providing assistance and opportunities to individuals in need of support within the hospitality community.
Steve Alton, Lead Rider and CEO at the BII, said: “Pedalling To Pubs has quickly become a standout event in the hospitality calendar, and it’s fantastic to see it return bigger and better than ever for its third year. Along with the rest of the riders, I’ve been training hard to take on the 220km Lake District route – and with over £50,000 already raised, this year’s challenge promises to be our most impactful yet. We are grateful to the organisers and partners whose passion for our industry makes this all possible – and of course to the great British pubs we’ll be visiting along the way!”
Chris Welham, CEO of the LTC, said: “It’s fantastic to see Pedalling To Pubs going from strength to strength – not only bringing people from across the hospitality sector together, but also raising vital funds and awareness for the LTC and Only A Pavement Away. The sector continues to face significant challenges this year, and campaigns like this allow us to continue providing health and wellbeing support, practical advice and financial assistance for individuals currently or previously working in the licensed hospitality community. Thank you to everyone who makes Pedalling To Pubs possible, and best of luck to the riders taking on the Lake District trek.”
Greg Mangham, Founder and CEO of Only A Pavement Away, said: “We’re delighted to be part of Pedalling To Pubs once again, and want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. With the total already exceeding £50,000, the support this year has been phenomenal. The funds we receive from this campaign make such a huge difference, allowing us to continue giving those wanting to rebuild their lives, a pathway into a rewarding career in hospitality. Huge thanks to the riders, organisers, and everyone who’s donated – you’re helping us to build brighter futures.”
Alongside its sister event, Hospitality Rides, Pedalling To Pubs has established itself as the flagship fundraising event for the LTC and Only A Pavement Away, with the two events exceeding £1m in fundraising since their creation. Funds raised are vital for allowing the charities to support even more people entering, currently employed in, or leaving the hospitality sector.
To find out more or to donate, visit https://pedallingtopubs.org.
-ENDS-
For more information on the challenge, please contact Fleet Street: LTC@fsc.uk.com
About Pedalling To Pubs
Pedalling To Pubs is a charity bike ride with hospitality at its heart. Created in recognition and support of disadvantaged people from around the pub, brewery and wider hospitality sectors.
Pedalling To Pubs, in support of the LTC and Only A Pavement Away, is committed to helping these causes, as well as promoting higher visibility for positive change in the hospitality industry.
The money raised will be channelled into projects that support those in need, through the LTC and Only A Pavement Away. The cycling challenges have been created as a collaborative support effort by industry professionals, KAM and the BII, as well as The Licensed Trade Charity and Only A Pavement Away themselves.
About the LTC (Licensed Trade Charity)
Founded in 1793, the LTC helps those currently working, looking for work or previously employed in the licensed hospitality community to proactively build, manage, maintain and enhance their health and wellbeing.
LTC provides practical advice, financial assistance and health and wellbeing support through its website, 24-hour free helpline and Employee Assistance Programme, empowering people to build confidence, resilience and take action to live well. The Charity is also dedicated to helping people with their personal development and their work skills so they can thrive personally, professionally – and unleash their potential.
In 2024, LTC transformed the lives of over 40,000 people through its unrivalled network of experts and specialists providing free help and support.
The charity also runs three fully funded independent schools, providing education and learning support for many children from the sector.
Visit LTC to find out more.
About Only A Pavement Away
Only A Pavement Away was established by hospitality industry consultant, Greg Mangham & his wife Gill, on World Homeless Day, 10th October 2018, to help anyone facing or at risk of homelessness, find employment in the hospitality sector. The charity connects forward-thinking employers to charity referral partners to rebuild lives and reintegrate people back into society. To date, the charity has placed 600 people into work, adding an approximate value of £25.6M to the economy through reduced government support, financial independence, and household expenditure. www.onlyapavementaway.co.uk
Imagery available to view and download here: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4
For more information on the challenge, please contact Fleet Street: LTC@fsc.uk.com
Third-party news items that are posted on the Guild website come from press releases and emails received by the Guild. These are posted as they have been received. Their publication on the Guild website is an informational service only and is neither an endorsement of the content, nor its sender, by the Guild. For enquiries, please use the contact details that can be found at the bottom of each post.