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St Peregrine VC Charity Dinner Explores New Fund Raising Models

by St Peregrine VC

Many opportunities exist to raise money for charities or to be part of a corporate programme for “good causes”. The challenge is to find an initiative that shares your values and generates empathy and energy – as well as raising money for the cause. Many charities represent a noble cause but fail to deliver what one might regard as being an appropriate return.

Andrew Brabyn (St Peregrine VC team rider, and creative director)

With the cycling sector growing at a vast pace in the midst of this recession it is no co-incidence that new models for fundraising and awareness are emerging. The inaugural St Peregrine VC dinner in aid of Cancer Research UK is one such initiative.

St Peregrine VC established by Trish and Mark Murphy is a great model to harness highly motivated individuals to raise funds for a wider cause. Using cycling as the main medium the St Peregrine VC team ride events/sportives and raise funds around these activities. What is different is that although the fundraising is for Cancer Research UK, the incredibly strong branding of the velo club is the bond that holds together the motivated riders and provides the calendar of events for the year.

Organiser Trish Murphy with husband Mark Murphy and family

The “team” though not competitive in the true sense of the word, is probably more professional than some of the bigger competitive players. A similar model was set up by UK professionals Russ and Dean Downing with their “Out of the Saddle” Cycling Club http://www.outofthesaddle.org.uk/news.html which helps talented riders in the UK. Their club established 4 years ago, is entirely dedicated to fundraising and has over 25 members. These models may be the norm in a few years time.

The St Peregrine Black Tie dinner was hosted by David Harmon of Eurosport. (He also does the Out of the Saddle Dinner in the autumn). Despite what is a recession he managed to extract thousands for the generously donated auction items. David who lost his father to cancer was visibly touched with the intensity and atmosphere of the evening.

Commentator David Harmon managing the auction

One of the highlights of the evening was a speech by James Golding (http://www.cycleacrossamerica2010.com/); a young man that has in a short life been through an amazing amount, yet remains an inspiration for those of us who would perhaps complain about some of the more mundane things in life. I know that he continues to raise funds, work on events and make speeches – and plot new crazy challenges.

Cancer survivor James Golding with Sven Thiele

The riders involved in the team are Andrew Brabyn, Angus Barber, Jeremy Clements and Nick Butterfield. If this first event is anything to go by they will be making a big splash in the cycling community with their fund raising activities and events.

Also great to see was the cycling world stepping in with sponsorship, most notably Mavic, Specialized, SRAM and custom clothing by LeMarq.

For more information, visit http://www.stperegrinevc.co.uk