Bathroom retail franchise Ripples has raised more than £13,000 for sanitation charity The Cycle, following a demanding four-day sponsored bike ride around Mallorca.
The multi-day fundraising ride saw 14 riders tackle a 390km route around the island, which started and finished in Palma. Their route took them across mountainous terrain and coastal roads, going along the Sa Calobra climb and Puig Major, over the island’s highest peak at more than 1,400m.
Ripples’ riders had to cover nearly 100km every day, supported by partners such as Laufen, Armera, Genesis Tiles and Eurostove.
The bathroom retailer has supported The Cycle and its mission for more than 15 years, and has previously also completed hikes, raffles and showroom events in aid of the organisation as well.
Ripples’ chosen charity, The Cycle, is responsible for building safe, hygienic and sustainable toilets in India and Africa to be used by over 350,000 people living in unsanitary conditions. The charity also works to support period education, helping to establish menstrual, sexual and reproductive health literacy in schools and communities where cultural taboos still suppress women and girls.
This year’s charity total was achieved after receiving more than 300 donations, with funds going towards helping communities in Tamil Nadu, India. The money will be used to help provide the community with school toilets, clean water reservoirs and menstrual health education through The Cycle’s Happy Periods programme.
Costing just £25 per person helped, the programme delivers both essential education and a washable, reusable hygiene pad that lasts up to five years, which The Cycle says helps girls stay in school and reduce barriers caused by period poverty.
“Completing this ride was both physically demanding and deeply rewarding,” commented Paul Crow, Ripples managing director, who was also a participant in the challenge.
“I wanted to create an event people would genuinely look forward to, while also giving riders across the KBB industry the opportunity to achieve something meaningful for themselves and for the charity. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re incredibly proud that Ripples could once again bring the challenge together.”
“As a business, we believe in creating impact beyond our industry. Supporting The Cycle allows us to help deliver practical, lasting change where it’s needed most.”
Georgina Harding, CEO of The Cycle UK, added: “Your support really does have a huge impact and goes towards truly life-changing work – bringing clean water to communities so women no longer have to spend more than five hours each day collecting water for their families to drink, helping to build toilets for children, and supporting our award-winning menstrual health programme. What Ripples is doing is truly heroic. A heartfelt thank you.”
In other news, the bathroom retail chain has recently has expanded its showroom network to a total of 26 locations, following the opening of its latest studio in Market Harborough.