BACK IN THE SADDLE FOR SMART WORKS BIRMINGHAM

Fund-raising cycle fanatics at Harris Lamb have once again donned their cycling helmets and begun pedal pushing in a bid to raise money for a Birmingham charity which helps women in need into employment.

The five-strong team, made up of Andy Smith, Andy Groves, Fiona Mellor, John Pearce and Shirley Greenlees, aims to cycle 500 miles between them in seven days to raise funds for the charity and awareness of its work.

The Cycle for Smart Works Challenge has taken place for several years, always taking place in March to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Smart Works Birmingham provides vital support for women in need, supplying them with suitable clothing for interviews to help them enter the workplace to become financially independent.

Andy Smith said: “We have taken part in this event before, and we’re keen to do so again to help raise funds for this important cause. Smart Works has only been established for five years, but its had a massive impact on the women it supports, all of who, are referred to the charity by housing associations, women’s shelters, job centres and training organisations.

“In that time, the charity has helped 1,500 women, reporting s 71 per cent success rate for helping the women they support get a job within one month of seeking its support; a fantastic figure considering that a third of the women they help have been unemployed for more than three years.

“The Birmingham centre serves the whole of the West Midlands, and has asked businesses across the region to take part in the cycle challenge in a bid to reach a target of £25,000 by the end of March. Thankfully, the weather over the past week has been much kinder than anticipated and we’ve all enjoyed jumping back into the saddle to start notching up the miles!”

To support the team, visit https://www.cycleforsmartworks.org.uk/teams/harris-lamb/

For more details about Smart Works, visit https://birmingham.smartworks.org.uk/

Photo: iStock